AFL umpire banned for Osama Bin Laden costume in latest dress-up controversy for the league

An AFL umpire has been banned for one match for dressing up as Osama Bin Laden at an end-of-season function.

Umpire Leigh Haussen will not be allocated a match in round one next season after attending a private wind-up at a private room in a Melbourne restaurant dressed as the terrorist leader.

It comes just weeks after a group of Greater Western Sydney players were banned and fined for offensive costumes and skits, including a depiction of the 9/11 attacks on the twin towers.

Haussen did not take part in any skits and the costume was part of the theme “characters of the 2000s”.

The AFL says the umpire, who debuted in the league in 2017 and has officiated more than 100 matches, cooperated with the investigation.

“I am sorry. I made an error of judgement. I never intended to offend anyone.” Haussen said.

The league’s umpiring boss Stephen McBurney said Haussen had an otherwise “unblemished record”.

“Leigh understands the inappropriate nature of his costume,” he said in a statement.

“He has reflected on that choice. 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.”

The AFL handed down sanctions to six players — Josh Fahey, Joe Fonti, Jake Riccardi, Toby McMullin, Harvey Thomas and Cooper Hamilton — over the GWS scandal last month.

Six other players, including leaders Lachie Whitfield, Toby Greene, Connor Idum, Tom Green and Sam Taylor, were also slapped for $5000 fines.