Former AFL player Ricky Henderson sues Fox Sports, AFL over genitals exposure

Former professional Australian Football League (AFL) player Ricky Henderson is seeking more than $1.2 million in damages from the AFL and Fox Sports over an incident where footage of his genitals being exposed was broadcast live on television in 2013. Henderson, who played for the Adelaide Football Club, alleges the unauthorized broadcast constituted a breach of confidence, invasion of privacy, and negligence.

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compromising footage

Court documents filed in South Australia's District Court detail Henderson's claims that the broadcast caused him 'extreme embarrassment and hurt,' leading to a diagnosable mental illness, including acute stress disorder that developed into chronic post-traumatic stress disorder. The documents also state he experienced low mood, anxiety, anger, social avoidance, hypervigilance, sleep disturbances, loss of motivation, relationship difficulties, and intrusive thoughts related to the incident. These issues have reportedly resulted in periods of incapacity for employment and loss of earning capacity.

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stepped away from the player group to adjust his shorts and undergarment, which involved pulling down his shorts and athletic support garment and exposing his genitals

Fox Sports, however, denies Henderson's claims. In its statement of defense, the network disputes that the footage was filmed in the changerooms at the Gabba stadium. Instead, Fox Sports asserts the footage was captured in the 'kicking room,' described as a public warm-up area accessible to players, coaches, medical staff, and members of the public, including media. The defense argues that fixed cameras have been present in such public areas for years and that Henderson, playing in his 44th game at the time, should have been aware of their presence.

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unauthorised use of the footage by way of the broadcast