AFL says investigation has no adverse findings into historic allegations against Hawthorn

The long-running inquiry into allegations of racial mistreatment at Hawthorn has finally ended.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has released the Hawthorn inquiry findings. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

An AFL investigation into historic allegations of the mistreatment of Indigenous players at Hawthorn has made no adverse findings.

Former Hawthorn coaches Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan, and staff member Jason Burt, had been accused of mistreating Indigenous players during their time at the club. They strongly denied the charges.

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan held a snap press conference on Tuesday night to release the findings of the league’s investigation.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan has revealed the findings of the independent investigation into Hawthorn. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Brenton Edwards

“No adverse finding have been made in the independent investigation against any of the individuals against whom allegations have been made,” the AFL statement said.

“The complainants wish to resolve all differences with the AFL.

“As a result of this agreement, the complainants do not wish to pursue the independent panel investigation, which they wholeheartedly supported, or make any claims against the AFL.

“The complainants agree that the allegations they have made should not be further investigated by the independent panel.”

McLachlan said the panel had now been terminated.

But he said it did “not preclude the complainants from taking other action, or preclude the AFL from bringing a charge under the AFL rules.

“The AFL acknowledges each one of the complainants feels hurt, pain and anguish following their time at Hawthorn and parties acknowledge the way in which allegations would lead to the media was not in any party’s best interests,” he told reporters.

Alastair Clarkson was senior coach of the Hawks. (Photo by Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Chris Fagan is now senior coach of the Lions. (Photo by Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images)

Clarkson, Fagan and Burt were at the centre of an ongoing investigation into allegations of racism from a group of First Nations players during Clarkson’s time as coach at Hawthorn.

All three maintained his innocence.

but last week blasted the Hawks and the process for failing to give him a right of reply more than eight months after the allegations were first made.

Clarkson, now head coach of North Melbourne, earlier this month stepped away from the game for an indefinite period after the investigation had taken a mental toll.

“He outlined that the previous eight months, where he’s had to deal with the Hawthorn investigation and those serious allegations and not having a voice through that period of time, has really weighed him down,” North Melbourne football boss Todd Viney said at the time.

The investigation ordered by the AFL boss took eight months to come to a conclusion. Picture : NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

McLachlan said acknowledged the broader issue of racism within the AFL.

“The AFL knows there have been instances of racism and that players have been marginalised hurt or discriminated against because of race,” he told the press conference.

“We commit to measures to combat racism, inclusion of Torres Strait Islander players in the AFL,

“We are committed to obligations to make game stronger for players and we will address our structures and systems.”

Originally published as AFL says investigation has no adverse findings into historic allegations against Hawthorn