Osborne Park Football Club has been shut down after a player reportedly dressed as late physicist Steven Hawking during end-of-season celebrations.
UPDATE: The historic Osborne Park Football Club in Perth has been evicted from its premises following a scandal involving a player dressed as renowned physicist Stephen Hawking. The City of Stirling deemed the costume “completely unacceptable” after a property inspection on August 21, 2023. This shocking incident has left the century-old club homeless and its future uncertain.
Officials from the City of Stirling confirmed the termination of the club’s lease, citing “unreasonable licensee conduct” as outlined in the club’s license agreement. A spokesperson emphasized the decision was not taken lightly, stating, “the conduct in question was not only unreasonable — it was completely unacceptable.”
The controversially themed costume was reportedly worn during the club’s Silly Sunday celebrations, leading to immediate backlash. The City has stated that police were contacted due to the “inappropriate nature of the items” found during the inspection. While the exact reasons for police involvement remain undisclosed, it has been reported that the material was deemed offensive.
Newly-elected club president Jeremy LaBianca expressed deep regret on social media, stating, “As a club, we are really embarrassed that we allowed this to happen.” He clarified that the club is cooperating with both the Perth Football League and the City of Stirling to address the fallout. “Let me be absolutely clear — this behaviour does not reflect the values or culture we stand for at Osborne Park,” he added.
Despite LaBianca’s attempts to engage with the City, he claimed that they have “refused” to communicate, forcing the club to vacate its lease without explanation. The City of Stirling, however, countered that they provided written explanations for the lease termination.
The Perth Football League has issued a show cause notice to the Osborne Park Football Club, requiring a response by the end of October to determine if disciplinary action is warranted. “The PFL expects all participants to uphold high standards of behaviour on and off the field,” a spokesperson stated.
As the club awaits a decision from the Perth Football League in early November, LaBianca stressed the profound impact of this decision on the community. “Shutting down an entire community club — with many years of history and deep roots in our local area — is grossly disproportionate,” he asserted.
The situation remains fluid as the club navigates its uncertain future amidst growing scrutiny and community backlash. With an urgent need for resolution, all eyes are on the upcoming decisions from the PFL and how they will shape the future of this beloved local institution.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
