Osborne Park Football Club could be deregistered after a player attended a post-season function in a costume allegedly featuring explicit images involving himself as a child. The Perth Football League (PFL) has issued the club with a show-cause notice, requiring them to justify why they should remain in the league.
The incident occurred during a 'silly Sunday' celebration in August, where a player dressed as the late physicist Stephen Hawking, who had motor neuron disease. City of Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin claimed the costume included a gaming chair with screens displaying images that depicted child pornography. WA Police investigated and found no criminality.
Mayor Irwin said the doctored images caused distress to city staff who discovered the contraption in club storage weeks later. 'This device was then left in the club rooms despite knowing the City of Stirling had to send staff there the next day for an inspection,' he told ABC Radio Perth. The council has expelled the club from their club rooms.
Osborne Park FC president Jeremy LaBianca described the costume as 'extremely distasteful' and 'unacceptable,' calling it an 'extremely embarrassing moment for the club.' However, he argued that the moves to 'shut down' the club were 'grossly disproportionate,' citing the club's positive community contributions over 20 years.
WA Police confirmed no criminality was detected after an investigation by the Sex Crime Division. Mayor Irwin maintained that the images depicted a criminal act, while Mr LaBianca stated the costume featured pictures of the player himself, not others. The club faces potential deregistration and has been removed from its club rooms.
