Alastair Clarkson’s tenure at North Melbourne delayed as AFL investigates historical allegations

Alastair Clarkson’s tenure at North Melbourne will be delayed as the AFL’s Integrity Unit investigates serious historical allegations.

Alastair Clarkson now coaches North Melbourne. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Warning: This story contains intergenerational trauma for Indigenous people and pregnancy loss

North Melbourne has confirmed that incoming coach Alastair Clarkson’s tenure will be delayed as the AFL’s Integrity Unit investigates serious historical allegations about mistreatment of Indigenous players during his time at the Hawthorn Football Club.

On Wednesday morning, countless footy commentators called for the former Hawthorn coach and his top assistant Chris Fagan, who is now head coach of the Brisbane Lions, to stand aside following the release of a bombshell report.

And a few weeks after signing four-time premiership coach Clarkson on a multimillion dollar deal, North Melbourne has taken action.

“The North Melbourne Football Club is aware of serious historical allegations made against individuals who worked at the Hawthorn Football Club, including incoming North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson,” the statement read.

“The matters raised are now with the AFL’s Integrity Unit and Alastair welcomes the opportunity to co-operate with any investigation relating to the claims.

“Alastair was due to commence work with North Melbourne on November 1 however he will delay the start of his tenure to allow time to fully participate in the investigation.

“Given the matters raised are confidential and the investigation is ongoing, the club will not provide any further comment at this time.”

Alastair Clarkson of North Melbourne. (=Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

AFL boss Gillon McLachlan fronted the press on Wednesday morning and suggested Clarkson’s immediate future would be announced later that day.

The Lions, meanwhile, have now announced Fagan is taking a leave of absence.

The football club said Fagan “supports and welcomes the investigation”.

Hawthorn CEO Justin Reeves and vice president Peter Nankivell also fronted the press on Wednesday afternoon.

Nankivell said he had “absolutely zero awareness” about the allegations until presented with the report two weeks ago.

He said the allegations have “been a surprise to everyone I’ve spoken with at the club”.

However, he also said he hasn’t been able to speak to those “directly involved” in the allegations.

Outgoing president Jeff Kennett did not attend. He had previously been urged to step down following a racism scandal surrounding Hawks star Cyril Rioli and his wife Shannyn Ah Sam-Rioli.

The AFL and Hawthorn earlier confirmed the AFL’s integrity department is investigating the shocking allegations and was given the information two weeks ago.

ABC Sport first reported the allegations following an external review commissioned by the club.

The external review alleges four-time premiership coach Clarkson and Fagan were involved in some of the cases.

Football journalist Jay Clark told Triple M on Wednesday the report was commissioned as a result of complaints previously made by Rioli before he left the club and retired prematurely.

Rioli stepped away from football in 2018 after a series of alleged racist incidents at the club, including one where a “senior player” reportedly asked teammates on a post-season trip in 2013 whether the partner of an Indigenous player was “also a b***g”.

Alastair Clarkson joins North Melbourne. Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images.

In a report published on Wednesday, ABC Sport alleges senior staff at Hawthorn demanded the separation of First Nations players from their partners and pressured one player and his partner to terminate a pregnancy for the sake of his career.

ABC reports other players allege they were made to remove SIM cards from their phones and replace them with new ones in an attempt to cut them off from their partners and make them focus on their football careers.

Names have been changed in the report to protect the identities of the players and their partners.

Clarkson was last month announced as the new coach of North Melbourne in a five-year deal reported to be worth $5 million.

The deal means Clarkson will coach through to the end of the 2027 season.

Fagan is contracted at the Lions through to the end of 2023.

Clarkson was coach of Hawthorn between 2005 and 2021, while Fagan was a senior assistant coach and general manager of football at the club from 2008-16.

There has now been public pressure on both to respond to the allegations. Football legends Garry Lyon and Tim Watson on Wednesday morning said on their Melbourne radio show both coaches would be “hounded” throughout the day.

The ABC claims Fagan and Clarkson did not respond when presented with questions about the allegations. News.com.au has reached out to the coach’s representatives.

Veteran Australian sport commentator Francis Leach wrote Clarkson and Fagan must step down until the investigation runs its course.

“Sickening and heartbreaking. The depth of racism and coercive control is appalling,” he posted on Twitter.

“Clarkson and Fagan have serious questions to face. Both should stand down pending further investigation.”

The Herald Sun’s Mark Robinson wrote on Wednesday Clarkson and Fagan “must go” if the allegations are found to be correct.

“If true, Alastair Clarkson should resign from North Melbourne and never hold a position in football again,” he wrote.

“The same for Chris Fagan.”

Chris Fagan, Senior Coach of the Lions. Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images.

Indigenous football media personality Shelley Ware wrote “anger resonates through me” after reading the story.

“I will be watching for what happens next for Clarkson, Fagan and Burt closely as I have my wishes,” she posted.

Australian journalist Bruce Guthrie wrote: “Clarkson and Fagan have already lost much of their reputations. In the absence of a full and convincing defence, surely their jobs are next”.

Sport reporter Adam Hill wrote: “Clarkson, Fagan et al should not survive this, the timing of the release is rather interesting though.

“The fact that absolutely abhorrent racism allegations seem to come to light whenever a footy club is put under the microscope is extremely concerning and feels like something the afl should be taking more seriously.”

Australian journalist Alan Sunderland wrote: “The ramifications of this story can and should go far beyond just Hawthorn.

The ABC’s Penny Timms also wrote: “This is beyond horrific. Action must be taken against those responsible”.

Veteran sports journalist Bernie Coen posted on Twitter: “If all is true you wonder how the people involved can possibly retain their positions at #AFL clubs”.

Broadcaster Matt Bevan was surprised by some reaction that suggested Clarkson would not be sacked: “Reading tweets, some people seem to be of the opinion that there is a possibility of Alastair Clarkson keeping his job”.

Former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson. Picture: Michael Klein

The most troubling allegation contained in the report centres around one case, detailing how one player claims Clarkson and Fagan were present at a meeting where he was told to get rid of his partner and unborn baby — and then move to live with a member of the club’s staff.

“Clarkson just leaned over me and demanded that I needed to get rid of my unborn child and my partner,” the player said, according to the ABC.

The player went on to say: “He told me to kill my unborn kid.”

Former Hawthorn premiership captain Luke Hodge spoke publicly on Wednesday morning, saying he was not aware of any of the allegations.

“Not to the extent of the terrible stuff in there,” he said, according to SEN.

“When you have 18, 19, 20-year-old kids getting drafted, you always hear about break ups and whether it’s the right thing, personally I’ve had a lot of private conversations with those guys, especially early on (for me), it was ‘is it the right thing for me to go back and see family and friends in Colac because of catching up and my diet wasn’t great and is it the best thing for my football’.

“So those conversations are had every day in big groups and small groups and conversations, but I’ve never heard anything to the extent of what was written in the article.”

Hawthorn responded to the allegations on Wednesday morning.

In a statement, the football club said: “Earlier this year the Hawthorn Football Club engaged external First Nations consultants to liaise with current and former First Nations players and staff to learn more about their experience at the club.

“This important work has raised disturbing historical allegations that require further investigation. Upon learning of these allegations, the club immediately engaged AFL Integrity as is appropriate.

Alastair Clarkson, left, with Chris Fagan. Picture: Colleen Petch.

“The club will continue to provide support to those who have participated in this process, and their wellbeing remains our priority.

“While the process indicated the current environment at the club is culturally safe, it also recommended that some of the club’s current First Nations training and development programs should continue to be strengthened.

“The club places the best interests and welfare of our players and staff as our number one priority.

“Given the matters raised are confidential, the club will not provide any further comment at this time.”

The AFL also released a statement to the ABC.

“The AFL is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and culturally appropriate environment for all players and staff throughout the industry, ensuring that physical, mental and emotional welfare is a key priority for all in our sport,” it said.

“The AFL takes extremely seriously all matters where people report experiencing harm, discrimination or mistreatment in our industry. We recently received a document from the Hawthorn Football Club outlining very serious allegations gathered during the recently completed review by an external consultant who interviewed current and former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players

“The experiences outlined in the document are extremely serious and require further and full examination.

“The AFL is finalising a process to investigate the allegations and has sought further details of those who shared their experiences in order to progress its investigation.

“The AFL is committed to ensuring all who shared their experiences are fully supported through this process. The AFL will liaise with the parties to ensure appropriate support and cultural safety are in place in accordance with the wishes of those involved.

“We are committed to the welfare of all involved. Once we have spoken to those who have shared their experiences, we will be able to provide an update on the next steps in the investigation.”