‘Deeply distressed’: Chris Fagan releases statement amid Hawks scandal

Lions coach Chris Fagan has broken his silence via a statement a day after he was named among the accused in the Hawthorn scandal.

Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has denied “the allegations of wrongdoing by me in relation to First Nations players at the Hawthorn Football Club”.

Allegations senior staff at Hawthorn demanded the separation of First Nations players from their partners, detailed in an external review commissioned by Hawthorn, were published by the ABC on Wednesday.

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The most troubling allegation centres around one case mentioned in the report, which details how one player claims newly signed North Melbourne coach Alastair 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’s move to the Kangaroos has been delayed, while Fagan agreed to take a leave of absence from the Lions.

The pair were both part of the coaching staff at Hawthorn through the club’s four-time premiership winning era.

Fagan was at the club between 2008 and 2016, first as a head of coaching and development and after 2013 as general manager of football.

Fagan has been Lions coach since 2016. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL Photos via Getty Images

But Fagan broke his silence on Thursday, releasing a statement to AFL.com.au.

“I was shocked and deeply distressed by the allegations reported in the media yesterday concerning my time at the Hawthorn Football Club,” Fagan said.

“I deny, categorically, the allegations of wrongdoing by me in relation to First Nations players at the Hawthorn Football Club. I have had very positive relationships with First Nations players throughout my many years in football, and, indeed players from different racial and ethnic groups.

“I had no opportunity to, and did not, participate in any way in the review commissioned by the Hawthorn Football Club. I was not interviewed. Nor was I invited to be interviewed. No one associated with the review ever put any allegation to me for a response.

“I intend to defend myself. It is my hope that people will judge me based upon the way I actually conduct myself and not by what is written in the media. I support and welcome the investigation announced by the AFL yesterday. I intend to participate fully in the investigation and look forward to being heard and being accorded due process and fairness.

“In the meantime, as announced by the Brisbane Lions Football Club yesterday, the club and I have mutually agreed that I will take a leave of absence from the club.

“As the matter is now under investigation I will make no further comment at this stage.”

Fagan and Clarkson after the 2014 Premiership. Photo: Michael Willson/AFL Media

The AFL Integrity Unit is now investigating the accusations.

It comes after the Lions announced on Wednesday that Fagan would take a leave of absence.

“The Brisbane Lions are aware senior coach Chris Fagan will work with the AFL concerning an investigation into allegations historical events at the Hawthorn Football Club, where he was an employee,” a statement from the club said.

“Chris supports and 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 Brisbane Lions and Chris have mutually agreed that he will take a leave of absence from the Club so he can fully co-operate in the investigation.

“As the matters are now with the AFL Integrity Unit, the Brisbane Lions won’t make any further comment at this stage.”

Speaking on Channel 9’s Footy Classified on Wednesday night, media veteran Caroline Wilson said Fagan had been privately denying the reports, particularly around the meeting where the abortion was reportedly discussed.

“Chris Fagan and people close to him are not sure he was actually at the meeting, and I think Chris Fagan has told the Brisbane Lions that he doesn’t recall it,” she said.