Hawthorn racism review: Lions want Chris Fagan back before Christmas

The AFLPA remains concerned about the fairness and independence of the probe into Hawthorn’s treatment of First Nations people after a four-person panel was unveiled.

Lions head coach Chris Fagan.

The AFL Players’ Association says it continues to harbour significant concerns in the league’s independent panel process that will investigate disturbing historical claims at Hawthorn.

The AFL on Wednesday announced the appointment of its four-person panel — which will be led by King’s Counsel Bernard Quinn — that is set to spend at least the next two months investigating explosive claims made by First Nations former Hawks players and their families.

But the AFLPA, which says it has taken its issue with the process directly to the league, has — for the second time in a week — hit out at the AFL’s handling of the procedure.

“The AFLPA continues to have concerns with the process detailed by the AFL to investigate the allegations about the Hawthorn Football Club by First Nations players and their families,” AFLPA chief executive Paul Marsh said on Thursday.

“Our concerns relate to the independence of the process, and we reiterate that this issue needs an independent, well-resourced, robust, effective and fair process.

“The AFL is aware of our concerns.”

AFLPA boss Paul Marsh.

There remain reservations from players and their families to be involved in the process, with the league optimistic they will partake in the proceedings, which includes allowances for cross-examination of all parties.

League chief Gillon McLachlan admitted on Wednesday there was no guarantees players and their families at the centre of the claims would be involved.

The league, AFLPA and Hawthorn say identities of all First Nations players and their families that partook in the recent cultural safety review remains unknown, with all accounts in the report having been provided on the basis of confidentiality and de-identified.

The AFLPA said “the process is being considered by all parties including the players with their legal representatives”.

“Ultimately the decision as to player involvement will be for the players to make,” Marsh said.

“The AFLPA will continue to provide support to them as required.”

Marsh also said that the conjecture around the process at hand also put a spotlight on how serious issues are dealt with.

“The difficulty in determining an appropriate process for this issue highlights why the AFLPA is committed to urgently reviewing the industry’s approach to investigating, hearing, and determining serious allegations of all kinds,” he said.

LIONS DROP STRONG HINT ON FAGAN RETURN

Jon Ralph

Brisbane expects Chris Fagan to resume his duties at the club before the start of the pre-season after the AFL formally put in place the terms of reference for the investigation into First Nations allegations at Hawthorn.

The Herald Sun can reveal the Lions are preparing for Fagan to be back at the club well before Christmas after he took a leave of absence when the allegations first broke.

Fagan has categorically denied any allegations of wrongdoing but the shaken coach took time away as Brisbane worked through the fallout.

Lions football boss Danny Daly told the Herald Sun on Thursday the Lions wanted Fagan back, and were planning for him to be at the club while the investigation proceeded.

“We are open to him coming back. He has taken a leave of absence. The main thing about him being away was he was able to talk to his lawyers and not have the stress of being at the footy club. Once we feel he is in a position that he is mentally OK to come back and has worked through what he has to, there is no reason he can’t come back.

“He is only on a leave of absence. We are still chatting about stuff. We haven’t been told he isn’t able to do that.”

Chris Fagan is on a leave of absence. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

The Lions players and staff have another six weeks until pre-season training begins, although the club is moving its headquarters to its new Brisbane training base.

Brisbane is determined that Fagan take some time away with family on holidays, so there is no real rush for him to move back.

He has been in discussions with the club over football matters and there are no rules preventing him from doing so given it was his decision to temporarily step away.

Alastair Clarkson is keen to resume at North Melbourne after spending time informally at the club before he was stood down. The Roos still say his November 1 start date has been postponed indefinitely.

But now that the terms of reference have been established and the league has made clear it will not have a ruling on the investigation until close to Christmas, it might pave the way for the Roos to make a decision on his start date.

Alastair Clarkson’s return date is up in the air. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

Fagan is confident he will be exonerated by the AFL investigation, which he and Clarkson will be involved in after not being interviewed for the Hawthorn review.

“I deny, categorically, the allegations of wrongdoing by me in relation to First Nations players at the Hawthorn Football Club, and that I intend to defend myself,” he said.

“I also confirm my intention to participate fully in any investigative process, provided that it is independent, fair and impartial, and respects my right to be heard.”

The league has not been able to confirm that the five First Nations families who have made accusations will testify in front of the four-person panel.

But AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan said on Wednesday when the panel was announced that it was their chance to put their story on the record for the AFL, with the league to proceed regardless.

Originally published as Hawthorn racism review: Lions want Chris Fagan back before Christmas