- Referee Leigh Haussen wore ‘inappropriate’ outfit at party
- The AFL has banned him from umpiring in the first round of 2025.
A month after GWS Giants players were caught up in a costume scandal, an AFL referee has been suspended for wearing inappropriate attire at an end-of-season party.
Leigh Haussen received a one-week suspension for the start of the 2025 season after dressing up as Osama Bin Laden for a private function to celebrate the end of the football season.
Unlike the GWS Giants costume scandal, AFL says ‘no skits were performed’ at umpires’ party.
“The theme of the meeting was ‘characters of the 2000s’,” the AFL said.
‘(Haussen) put on a costume at the scene and wore a mask only for a short period of time before taking it off.
“He cooperated fully with the investigation after the AFL became aware of the performance and apologized for wearing the suit which was inappropriate, offensive and in poor taste.”
Haussen will have to attend educational training and will also miss the season opener.
‘I’m sorry. “I made an error in judgment,” he said in a statement.
Leigh Haussen (pictured with partner) received a one-week suspension for the start of the 2025 season after dressing up as Osama Bin Laden for a private party.
Haussen (pictured dressed for a previous end-of-season party) says he’s sorry and never meant to offend
“I never intended to offend anyone.”
AFL refereeing chief Stephen McBurney said Haussen knows he made a mistake.
“He’s 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 promotion to the AFL umpiring roster in 2017.
“We will support Leigh to return to refereeing AFL football following this suspension.”
Haussen made his debut as an AFL referee in the 2017 season round five match between Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs.
