Hawthorn racism review: Alastair Clarkson breaks his silence as North Melbourne start date is delayed

Alastair Clarkson has responded to bombshell allegations about the treatment of First Nations players and their families, while an AFL commissioner has taken a leave of absence.

Alastair Clarkson will vigorously defend himself against the bombshell allegations of his treatment of First Nations players and their families during his time at Hawthorn.

The AFL has launched an external investigation after a Hawthorn review into its recent history involving First Nations players reportedly revealed shocking allegations involving multiple players, one who it is claimed has made several attempts on their own life in the aftermath of their time at the club.

One allegation reported by the ABC was that Clarkson told a player he and his partner should terminate a pregnancy.

“Clarkson just leaned over me and demanded that I needed to get rid of my unborn child and my partner,” the ABC report quotes the unnamed player as saying.

“... He told me to kill my unborn kid.”

The four-time premiership coach said he refutes the claims and denied any wrongdoing or misconduct.

He said on Wednesday he was “shocked by the extremely serious allegations reported in the media earlier today”.

“I was not interviewed by the authors of the report commissioned by the club, and nor have I been provided with a copy of the report,” Clarkson said in a statement.

“I was not afforded any due process and I refute any allegation of wrongdoing or misconduct and look forward to the opportunity to be heard as part of the AFL external investigation.”

Alastair Clarkson recently signed a five-year deal with the Kangaroos. Picture: Getty

The Hawthorn review reportedly includes allegations against Clarkson – who was recently appointed to the top job at North Melbourne – then football manager and now Brisbane senior coach Chris Fagan and Hawthorn player development manager Jason Burt.

Clarkson has delayed his start at North Melbourne until the AFL completes its investigation and Fagan also stepped aside from his position as Brisbane Lions coach.

Burt has also taken an “indefinite leave of absence” from his role as head of coaching and performance sport at Caulfield Grammar School.

In a statement, principal Ashleigh Martin said Burt’s “desire to engage fully in the investigation” into the historical allegations meant he needed to take leave from the school.

“We are providing Jason with appropriate support while the investigation takes place,” Mr Martin said.

AFL commissioner Andrew Newbold, who was Hawthorn president from 2011-16, has also taken a leave of absence “to assist in the independent investigation”.

Brisbane said in a statement Fagan “welcomes the investigation”.

“He was not consulted during the Hawthorn sponsored review and looks forward to the opportunity to be heard as part of the AFL investigation,” the Lions’ statement said.

It is understood the allegations relate to a period between 2010 and 2016, during which time Clarkson led the Hawks to three flags.

Clarkson was scheduled to officially start in his new role at North Melbourne on November 1, having played a part in the club’s list management and strategy in recent weeks.

Clarkson signed a massive five-year, multi million contract to join the Kangaroos last month, rejecting a late approach from Essendon.

He had been in discussions with his manager James Henderson, with North Melbourne president Dr Sonja Hood also involved.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan and Executive General Manager Inclusion and Social Policy Tanya Hosch speak to the media. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan announced that a four-person panel, led by an eminent King’s Counsel, would investigate the allegations.

McLachlan acknowledged the “hurt, anger and grief” of those involved who had shared their stories, and dedicated the AFL’s priority to their support.

“It’s hard to find more serious allegations,” McLachlan said.

“We need to run a proper investigation to get to the bottom of it – and this is important – out of respect for those making the allegations, and out of respect for those being accused.

“We need to provide natural justice and allow that process to go on, but we will seek to have that panel in place as quickly as possible and work with the Hawthorn Football Club, consult with who prepared the report and the players and partners involved to engage with them to expedite it and not extend the trauma.”

McLachlan – who received the report last week and has read it in full – described the claims included as “distressing” and “harrowing stories”.

He also said there had been new details in today’s ABC report that had not been in the report commissioned by Hawthorn.

“Obviously, it’s a tough read,” he said, but stressed it was a confidential report and had been intended to stay that way.

“We don’t publicly disclose any investigations until they’re complete.”

Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan in their time at Hawthorn. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Media

Hawthorn chief executive Justin Reeves said on Wednesday that the explosive revelations in the report had been “a surprise” to everyone at the club.

“Prior to the report being received, absolutely zero of this had ever been relayed to me,” Reeves said.

The league’s general manager of inclusion and social policy Tanya Hosch said “almost it’s hard to find the words when you read something like this, honestly” to describe how she felt reading the allegations and that “the country has a bigger problem” with Indigenous issues.

“I don’t think we’re immune to that … we will definitely think in broader scope when the time is right, but we’ve got a really urgent, pressing issue right here and now which has to take absolute priority,” she said.

“Of course we’re thinking about the broader issues.”

AFL Players’ Association president Patrick Dangerfield said: “Clearly there’s so much more that needs to be done. It just should never have gotten to a level like this.

“You put so much trust in people in a football club when you get to it that they’re going to help you and put you on a path that is supported and you can fulfil your dream, it isn’t something you finish up with having had a terrible experience and quite clearly this is that.

“There’s a lot of work to get to get to the bottom of that in my view and first and foremost I think people should look to those who have been directly impacted by this, and that is the players and their partners.”

Gillon McLachlan answers questions from the media on Wednesday. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Former Hawthorn chief executive Stuart Fox, who led the Hawks from 2009-16, said the claims were upsetting.

“I have been shocked and saddened to learn about the allegations outlined in Hawthorn’s report into past events at the football club,” Fox, who is now MCC boss, said.

“These allegations are deeply troubling and I fully endorse the AFL’s independent investigation.”

Victorian Minister for Sport Steve Dimopoulos said he had spoken with McLachlan in the wake of the reports, which he described as “extraordinarily serious allegations”.

“I feel for everybody involved,” Dimopoulos said.

“ ... I’m not going to tell the AFL how to manage its affairs, other than to say they are extraordinarily serious allegations … I am pleased that (McLachlan) clearly has stated they are serious.

“They will investigate as they see appropriate with all the stakeholders the AFL will meet.”