Former AFL player Ricky Henderson taking legal action against Fox Sports and AFL over vision of genitals

Former Hawthorn and Adelaide player Ricky Henderson is taking legal against Fox Sports and the AFL over the “unauthorised” airing of his genitals.

Henderson, who started his career at Adelaide before moving to Hawthorn ahead of the 2017 season, is suing the league and the broadcaster for more than $1.2 million.

The 37-year-old claims he has suffered a “mental illness” since his genitals were shown on live TV during the half-time break of a game at the Gabba in 2013.

Court documents say Henderson “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.”

The documents say that the “unauthorised” airing of his genitals has not just caused him “extreme embarrassment and hurt”, but also brought on “a diagnosable mental illness”.

Henderson claims his human dignity was “violated” and the incident brought on an “acute stress disorder, which developed into a chronic post-traumatic stress disorder”.

He also claims he has suffered financial loss due to “periods of total and partial incapacity” where he could not work.

The AFL and Fox do not dispute the fact that Henderson’s genitals were caught on camera and the broadcaster apologised at the time of the original incident.

But Fox Sports’ statement defence says Henderson was filmed “in the kicking room which is a public warm-up area attended by players, coaches, trainers, medical staff and members of the public, including media”.

The broadcaster says it is well-known by players that fixed cameras operate in the kicking room, which is “entirely separate and distinct from the private change-room facilities” where cameras are not in operation.

“Fox Sports says that Mr Henderson adjusted his shorts and undergarment near the middle of the kicking room, in the full and open view of other Adelaide Football Club players and staff,” the broadcasters documents state.

“The applicant knew or ought to have known that live footage was streamed from the fixed camera and/or other cameras located in the kicking room,” the AFL says.

“The kicking room was not a changing room, and this was known by the applicant or in the alternative ought to have been known by a reasonable person in the position of the applicant.”

The AFL has also denied that Henderson suffered any financial loss as a result of the vision.