By Marc McGowan and Hannah Kennelly
An AFL umpire who dressed as Osama bin Laden at an end-of-season function the day after this year’s grand final is banned from officiating in the opening round of next season.
Leigh Haussen dressed in a costume depicting the former al-Qaeda leader – who claimed responsibility for the September 11 terrorist attacks – as part of a “characters from the 2000s” theme at a field umpires’ function in a private room at a Melbourne restaurant on September 29.
AFL umpire Leigh Haussen in 2021.Credit: Getty Images
The league announced Haussen’s suspension on Monday, and it comes shortly after a group of GWS footballers were punished for inappropriate costumes and skits at their own end-of-season party.
There were no skits performed at the umpires’ function, the AFL confirmed.
Haussen changed into the bin Laden costume at the venue, including wearing a mask. He will address fellow AFL umpires when they return to training.
“I am sorry. I made an error of judgment. I never intended to offend anyone,” Haussen said.
The AFL described Haussen’s actions as “inappropriate, offensive and in poor taste”, while the league’s head of umpiring Stephen McBurney said Haussen had made a poor decision.
“Leigh understands the inappropriate nature of his costume. He has reflected on that choice,” McBurney said.
“Leigh is a valued member of the umpiring group, with an unblemished record both throughout his umpiring career and since his elevation to the AFL umpires list in 2017. We will support Leigh to make his return to umpiring AFL football following this suspension.”
GWS defender Josh Fahey received a four-game ban for dressing up as ex-NRL player Jarryd Hayne and simulating sex with an inflatable doll as one of 13 Giants punished for their involvement in a “controversial couples”-themed event.
The AFL also hit Fahey’s teammates Jake Riccardi, Cooper Hamilton, Toby McMullin, Harvey Thomas and Joe Fonti with two-match suspensions.
Toby Greene, Lachie Whitfield, Connor Idun, Sam Taylor, Tom Green, Harry Perryman and Lachie Keeffe received fines.
League chief executive Andrew Dillon described the behaviour at the GWS function as “completely unacceptable”.
Hayne was convicted of sexual assault offences and sentenced to a prison term last year before the conviction was quashed on appeal and the charges formally dropped.
Hayne took a taxi to the house of the woman who accused him of the offences after the NRL grand final in 2018.
Riccardi dressed as a taxi driver to the Giants’ function but was not involved in simulating inappropriate acts on the sex doll.
Dillon announced that McMullin and Hamilton “simulated the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre and wore costumes related to that event”.
AFL investigate crowd abuse that left Lions player in tears
The AFL Integrity Unit is investigating after an ugly crowd abuse incident left Brisbane AFLW player Dakota Davidson in tears during Sunday’s clash against St Kilda.
The two-time premiership player had to be consoled by teammates at three-quarter-time after a crowd member allegedly made a derogatory comment about her appearance.
Dakota Davidson is consoled by teammates at three-quarter time during Sunday’s game against St Kilda.Credit: AFL Photos via Getty Images
A Brisbane Lions spokesperson said the patron was quickly identified and removed from the ground.
They confirmed the incident had been referred to the AFL Integrity Unit.
“The club would like to thank the match manager, St Kilda players, staff and fans along with the security at the venue who dealt with the incident,” they said in a statement.
Davidson spoke out in July about online negativity on sports podcast Keegan & Company.
“I obviously had a lot of success on the grand final day and I think one of my photos was the front cover of the news article,” she said referencing a viral photo of her taken during Brisbane’s 2023 premiership win.
“I scrolled through the comments and it was all just: ‘He’s the best one out there’, ‘He won them the game’, ‘Good on him’, ‘He grew a leg when it was needed’ and I’ve just copped a lot.”
The incident comes after Essendon star Maddy Prepsakis last month lifted her guernsey and pointed to her stomach after booting a goal against Gold Coast – a defiant gesture to the trolls who sent her “a horrible message” before the game.
“To be honest, I feel very sad right now, for myself I have battled with body image and learning to love my body from a young age until now,” Prespakis wrote on social media.
“Playing football is the game I love but body confidence hasn’t always made it easy with the view I have on myself, and that’s why I’ve worked so hard to be able to look in the mirror and love what my body looks like.
“Yesterday’s horrible message has brought back A LOT of feelings I’ve worked hard to overcome over the years but with the best people around me right now I know I’ll continue to have the love from so many beautiful people in my life.”
An AFL spokesperson said support services were available to players 24/7.
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