Perth Football League's suspension of Osborne Park FC a 'line in the sand' moment, says league boss

The boss of the Perth Football League has urged clubs to treat the suspension of the Osborne Park Football Club over an end-of-season costume stunt as a "line in the sand moment" for their culture, but insisted there was no need to ban "silly Sunday" type social events.

It comes as a number of club presidents within the league spoke to the ABC about their concerns surrounding inappropriate conduct within social situations, saying they were working to ensure people within their clubs act appropriately and avoid the risk of being tarnished by similar scandals.

Osborne Park FC has been suspended from the league for two years after being found to have severely breached integrity standards, with one player's costume involving what City of Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin described as "a gaming chair set-up, with screens … with images photocopied depicting child pornography".

WA Police investigated and confirmed "no criminality was detected".

The ABC has seen pictures of one of the screens fixed to the chair which depicts a replica of the Pornhub website.

The doctored image advertises 'child porn videos' with non-pornographic images of a child, understood to be the player, displayed as click-able video thumbnails.

City of Stirling workers attended the clubrooms for an inspection the following day and were left upset after finding the costume.

The PFL Chief Executive Andrew Dawe said there was a clear message that inappropriate behaviour is not acceptable.

"Things that may have been done 20 years ago are just not tolerated and accepted in today's society," Mr Dawe said.

"This is an absolute … draw a line in the sand moment, for our clubs, our club presidents, our club leaders, leaders in community.

"They need to be across all the events that are going to occur, and ensure that common sense prevails."

Mr Dawe said on Tuesday it was not an isolated incident in the club's relationship with the city, but would not be drawn on what those other incidents were.

Ban 'a bit rough'

Speaking to the ABC on condition of anonymity, one PFL club president said their club was considering cutting out all dress-up themed events, and not holding social events in their club rooms.

They said the PFL had done a really good job of stamping out inappropriate behaviour on and off the field, but while saying the Osborne Park incident warranted punishment, a two-year suspension was "a bit rough" and "will kill the club".

Another president said the incident had made everyone second guess what was associated with their club.

"It does make you wonder, 'oh shit, because it can spiral and blow out," they said.

"It does make you worried."

The president of another club said they would act immediately to encourage their committee to be very aware and proactive of all off-field behaviour, which Mr Dawe said all clubs will be urged to do.

"The standard that you walk past is the standard that you accept," Mr Dawe said.

But he said the league would not be banning costume-themed end-of-season celebrations.

"I have no issue with 'silly Sundays' and what have you, clubs need to have fun, however there needs to be what's tolerated in society, and that's the line, and people just need to understand that," he said.

When contacted by the ABC, the Osborne Park Football Club refused to say whether it was considering an appeal against the punishment, which would need to be lodged within two weeks.

Mr Dawe said the PFL was yet to hear anything from the club regarding any potential appeal.

Fine for Charlie Kirk stunt

The news came as South Bunbury Football Club and its president were fined $1,500 for dressing as slain US commentator Charlie Kirk during a grand final victory party.

Nicky Waite was photographed dressed as Kirk with fake blood coming from her neck, less than two weeks after the American right-wing commentator was assassinated.

The South West Football League imposed the fine, which it said was the maximum penalty.

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