Lions coach Chris Fagan reaffirms his innocence in the Hawthorn racism scandal as co-accused Alastair Clarkson takes leave

Chris Fagan has maintained his innocence amid the Hawthorn scandal after co-accused Alastair Clarkson stepped away from his role.

Lions coach Chris Fagan has not agreed to mediation as the investigation into historical claims of racism at Hawthorn continues. Picture: Chris Hyde/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan had declared he’s innocent of “racism” and “cultural insensitivity” ahead of potential mediation to deal with allegations of mistreatment of First Nations players during his time at Hawthorn.

Fagan’s comments on Thursday came less than two hours before former Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson, who was accused of the same racism claims, took leave from his job as North Melbourne coach to “focus on his physical and emotional wellbeing”.

In the wake of that news, Fagan released a statement declaring he was “saddened” by the impact of the what he called a “deeply flawed process” the pair had been subjected too.

“It has been profoundly damaging and unfair. It is my hope that it will very soon come to an appropriate end. In the meantime, Clarko’s physical and mental wellbeing must come first,” he said.

“I extend my very best wishes to him, Caryn (Clarkson’s) wife and the family.”

Clarkson’s decision to step away from his Kangaroos came in the wake of a report on Channel 9 on Wednesday night that there was a “strong intent” for mediation to take place as early as next week involving Fagan, Clarkson and the families of players who accused the pair of racism at the Hawks.

It was also reported that the term “cultural insensitivity” could be used as a “concession” by Fagan and Clarkson in the search for a “meeting ground” during mediation,

However. Fagan seems unlikely to agree to such a concession.

Lions coach Chris Fagan says he’s ‘not guilty of racism or cultural insensitivity’. Picture: Dylan Burns/AFL Photos via Getty Images

“I know I’m not guilty of racism or cultural insensitivity,” the Lions coach said ahead of he AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round, which recognises and celebrates the sport’s Indigenous players.

Fagan also said he had not agreed to mediation and was unaware of it being mooted to take place next week.

“Maybe I’ll hear something today,” he said.

Fagan last week said he felt “slandered” by the handling of the independent investigation into allegations of racism at the Hawks.

“This investigation’s been going on for eight months, and we haven’t had a chance to tell our truth, but every week we have to put up with articles being written about it,” he said.

Fagan continues to put the off-field allegations to one side in his pursuit of a premiership with the Lions, who are aiming for a seventh successive win when they host the Gold Coast Suns in Saturday night’s QClash at the Gabba.

The Lions are also chasing an eight consecutive victory over the Suns, who haven’t beaten Brisbane since 2018.

“Our motivation is to keep our winning streak going,” Fagan said.

“We feel like we’ve been in some good form. It’s another opportunity.

“If you look at some of the other fixtures this weekend, if we can do well, it helps us advance up the ladder and stay in the top four.”

“I wouldn't have thought that our motivation is any less than (that of the Suns). We want to win every time we play.”

Originally published as Lions coach Chris Fagan reaffirms his innocence in the Hawthorn racism scandal as co-accused Alastair Clarkson takes leave