Alastair Clarkson will start coaching North Melbourne amid racism investigation

Alastair Clarkson will join Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan in returning to work while they take part in the investigation into racism claims during his time at Hawthorn.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 19: Alastair Clarkson poses for a photo during a North Melbourne Kangaroos AFL Media Opportunity at Arden Street Ground on August 19, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia. Clarkson has agreed to coach the North Melbourne Football Club for the next five seasons, officially beginning on November 1, 2022. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Alastair Clarkson will begin his role as North Melbourne on November 1 after the club board approved his return to work date amid an independent investigation into historical allegations of racism.

On Wednesday the club confirmed the news in a statement.

North president, Dr Sonja Hood, said the board was confident Clarkson can fulfill his duties with North Melbourne while he co-operates with the independent investigation into allegations of racism at the Hawthorn Football Club between 2008 and 2016.

“We support the process to provide a voice for all parties. That includes former Hawthorn players and their families, as well as former coaches and staff, including Alastair,” Dr Hood said.

“The Board came to its decision after consulting with a range of stakeholders.”

The Board of the North Melbourne Football Club has decided that Alastair Clarkson will commence as senior coach on November 1.

— North Melbourne FC (@NMFCOfficial) October 26, 2022

The Clarkson move comes after Chris Fagan resumed his duties as Brisbane Lions coach on Wednesday.

The Lions board ratified the return of Fagan at a meeting on Tuesday night.

Fagan took a leave of absence from his role last month after being named in the Hawthorn racism scandal that rocked the AFL.

The Lions board made the decision to ratify Fagan’s return following the AFL’s release of the terms of reference for the independent investigation of allegations of inappropriate conduct at the Hawks.

The Lions board will provide Fagan with any future leave that might be required to allow him to participate in the investigation.

“We don’t think there’s an impediment now for Chris to come back and start to get back to work:" Lions chief executive Greg Swann said.

“He’ll still comply with that (investigation) panel.”

Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan are complying with an AFL investigation into racism allegations when they were at Hawthorn. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Media

Swann said Fagan was looking forward to “getting back to work” and “clearing his name”, and that those inside the club couldn’t “compute” the allegations against the man they know.

“That process will take care of itself,” he said.

“He was certainly taken aback by it all.

“For those that know him, we struggled to compute that he would be involved in any of that sort of stuff.

“He’s been disappointed, then he’s been angry … you’re innocent until proven guilty.”

Swann also distanced himself from any links to the vacant Essendon chief executive job.

“I’m here, I’m in Brisbane, I love it,” he said.

Swann was speaking at Mabel Park State High School for the launch of the Logan Lions Youth Academy.