A football club in Perth has been banned from league play for two years after one of its members dressed as the late physicist Stephen Hawking, while displaying fake child abuse imagery.
The incident occurred during Osborne Park Football Club’s “Silly Sunday” celebration at Robinson Reserve in August. The player was seen in a wheelchair, featuring a mock communication device that presented manipulated images resembling a fake adult website.
Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin expressed that council employees were “deeply troubled” when they discovered the costume discarded during a routine check of the club’s premises a few days later, prompting them to report the situation.
Jeremy LaBianca, president of Osborne Park Football Club, released a statement in early October, clarifying that the fabricated material only included photos of the player himself and no one else.
“The costume was undoubtedly offensive and in poor taste, and I am not attempting to justify or defend that choice,” he remarked.
“The accusation of child pornography is extremely serious and affects me deeply, as it does many in our community who are parents, business owners, or hold public-facing roles,” he added.
LaBianca had earlier said he was “really embarrassed that we allowed this to happen and that we didn’t intervene on the day”.
9News understands that the player involved is also embarrassed by his behaviour and apologises for any distress caused.
He is also upset with the impact of his actions on the club.
