He expressed remorse, acknowledging his poor judgment and emphasizing that he made an error.

Since debuting in the AFL in 2017, Haussen has officiated over 100 matches with an otherwise clean record.

Stephen McBurney, the AFL umpiring boss, recognized Haussen's unblemished record prior to this incident and indicated support for his return to officiating after the suspension.

The AFL condemned Haussen's costume choice as 'inappropriate, offensive, and tasteless,' leading to a one-match ban for the opening round of the 2025 season.

In a separate incident, GWS player Josh Fahey received a four-game ban for inappropriate behavior during the same party, further emphasizing the need for accountability within the league.

Leigh Haussen, an Australian Football League (AFL) referee, has been suspended for wearing a mask of terrorist Osama Bin Laden at a themed end-of-season party in Melbourne.

This incident follows a recent controversy involving six players from the Greater Western Sydney (GWS) Giants, who faced penalties for wearing offensive costumes at a similar event.

League CEO Andrew Dillon condemned the behavior at the GWS function, highlighting that some players simulated acts related to the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Additionally, six other GWS players were fined $5,000 for their roles in the incident, reflecting the AFL's commitment to addressing inappropriate conduct.

The incident occurred during a private function celebrating 'Characters from the 2000s' on September 29, 2023, where Haussen briefly donned the controversial mask.

In addition to his suspension, Haussen will undergo mandatory education work and address the entire AFL umpiring group about the incident during pre-season training.

Haussen cooperated fully with the investigation and apologized for his actions, stating he did not intend to offend anyone.