Chris Fagan says he would welcome court action in the wake of the AFL closing its investigation into racism scandal

Chris Fagan says he would welcome the transparency of court action in the wake of the AFL closing its investigation into the Hawks’ racism scandal.

Gillon McLachlan. Picture: David Crosling

Brisbane coach and former Hawthorn football boss Chris Fagan said he would welcome the transparency of court action in the wake of the AFL closing up its investigation into the Hawks’ racism scandal.

The Hawthorn families at the centre of the league’s investigation agreed there would be no adverse findings against any individuals as a result of the AFL’s probe, but they are set to take their fight to the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Fagan, who was named in the report that detailed harrowing allegations by former Hawthorn players that included the forced separation of couples, declared on Tuesday night that he would be “happy for any of my conduct and any documents to be aired publicly in a public court or proper public process” in a bid to “let someone impartial decide what is true and what is false”.

Chris Fagan and Alastair Clarkson earlier this year. Picture: Getty Images

His former colleague and now North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson – who remains on leave from the club after stepping away to focus on his health – opted not to make any statement on Tuesday night.

Fagan, who reiterated his innocence “of any allegations made against me”, maintained that he had always treated all players “with equality and fairness”.

“I have always respected the tremendous contribution that First Nations people have made to our game and I respect them greatly. I always have. I always will,” he said on Tuesday evening.

“And I am conscious that this farce of a process cannot have been easy on those First Nations people who were complainants.

“Those whom I knew, I hold no grudges against and hold only a wish that whatever pain they are suffering can be healed over time.

“The combination of the AFL investigation, the ABC article that was published making very serious allegations against me, and the leaks that have occurred to the press, have amounted to a travesty of justice.

Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan while working together at Hawthorn. Picture: AFL Media

“It has caused tremendous hurt to me, those who care about me, and other people whom I know to be innocent of wrongdoing, such as Clarko (Alastair Clarkson) and Jason Burt. These are fine men and they have been publicly shamed by false allegations.”

Fagan said that he had received documents that had been disclosed to the AFL and investigation panel in recent weeks that he said “support the categorical denials of the allegations against me”.

“I can also say that for my part, I would be completely happy for all of these documents to be made public,” he said.

“I am happy for any of my conduct and any documents to be aired publicly in a public court or proper public process and let someone impartial decide what is true and what is false.

“I am not a party to the agreement between the complainants, the investigation panel and the AFL. But I stand vindicated by it. I have made no concessions. There are none to make.

“I have always vigorously defended myself, and will always do so, as I have done nothing wrong.”

Originally published as Chris Fagan says he would welcome court action in the wake of the AFL closing its investigation into racism scandal