Hawthorn racism scandal: Alastair Clarkson releases statement denying harrowing allegations

Alastair Clarkson says he is ‘shocked and deeply distressed’ by allegations in the Hawthorn report and expressed a particular concern with future fair process.

Hawthorn’s Cultural Safety Review has raised disturbing allegations

Under-fire former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has declared “in the strongest and most emphatic terms possible” that he vehemently denies harrowing allegations by First Nations players and partners in an explosive Hawthorn report.

He expressed his concerns surrounding a “fair process” and warned “I will not hesitate to take further steps to protect my position and reputation should that be necessary”.

The report, which has been obtained by the Herald Sun, details a number of first-hand accounts from First Nations players and partners and detailed findings by report authors who spoke with 17 past and present players and staff members.

But Clarkson, who is at the centre of a number of damaging claims, issued a stern statement reiterating his position.

“Since learning of the allegations first reported in the media last Wednesday, I have been shocked and deeply distressed,” Clarkson said in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.

“It remains profoundly disappointing that these matters are now being widely canvassed in the public domain without the opportunity being given to me or others to give our accounts or even read the Hawthorn report, which to this day I have not seen.

“The further recent publication of purported extracts from the report means I now have grave concerns that any chance of a fair process and just outcome have been seriously undermined, if not irrevocably corrupted.

“The failure to maintain the confidentiality of the review and further damaging public speculation means I have no option but to express publicly, in the strongest and most emphatic terms possible, that I did not behave in the manner claimed.”

Former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson. Picture: AAP Images

Clarkson defended his treatment of First Nations players and said he held them “in the highest echelons” of the game.

“I believe the genuine affection I held for all the players who walked through the doors into Hawthorn is well known,” he said.

“I have always appreciated and respected the unique journeys of First Nations players into the highest echelons of Australian rules football.

“I have been committed to acknowledging and understanding their many varied experiences and brought all my efforts to ensuring these players are given the opportunity to realise their dreams.

“But not at any cost, and never at the cost of their families as has been alleged.

“Any suggestion to the contrary is false and deeply offensive.”

The Herald Sun on Wednesday night confirmed that Clarkson has engaged King’s Counsel and former County Court judge Julie Condon and John Tuck and Paul Burns from Corrs Chambers Westgarth as his legal representatives.

The four-time premiership coach said “people who know me will understand how important family is to me”.

“I have always carried this value into every organisation I have worked with,” Clarkson said.

“I acknowledge how difficult it is for any player, and in particular First Nations players to tell their stories about deeply personal matters and I respect every player that has spoken to either the ABC or Phil Egan (report author) as part of the Hawthorn Football Club process.

“Every person has their story and the right to tell it.”

“However, as the allegations against me have been spread widely and sometimes presented as indisputable matters of fact, I must state that my clear memory of the matters reported is very different.”

He said he would continue to co-operate with the AFL and is “trying to retain my trust that it will put in place a fair, respectful and supportive process for all involved”. but warned “I will not hesitate to take further steps to protect my position and reputation should that be necessary”.

The league is continuing to work to formulate the panel that will oversee the external investigation into the disturbing claims.

Alastair Clarkson released a statement on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

‘GET A MOVE ON’: PLEA TO AFL OVER HAWKS SCANDAL

The AFL needs to expedite its external investigation into horrifying claims detailed in Hawthorn’s review of its treatment of First Nations players, the league’s coaches association has declared.

Senior coaches Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan are at the centre of harrowing allegations in the report with the AFL Coaches’ Association on Wednesday calling on the league to get things moving, and quickly.

The league is continuing to consult with all parties, including the alleged complainants, to formulate its four-person panel that will oversee the external investigation.

But after the Herald Sun on Tuesday night detailed further allegations made in the report, AFLCA boss Alistair Nicholson said the clock was ticking.

“The AFL Coaches’ Association is urging the AFL to expedite the investigation into historical interactions between former Hawthorn Football Club coaches and indigenous players to ensure the coaching figures at the centre of the claims are afforded natural justice given the ongoing media coverage of the issue,” he said on Wednesday morning.

“Coaches named in the Hawthorn Football Club report were not interviewed or provided with an opportunity to respond to the allegations made before it was handed to the club and the AFL.

“They still have not had an opportunity to respond in full to the claims made in the report, which has now been provided to two major media outlets.

“The allegations are confronting and warrant proper examination.

“Our thoughts are with the players and their families who have shared their stories, as well as other First Nations people who have been directly or indirectly affected by the publicity around the report.

“But the seriousness of the allegations does not obviate the need for a fair hearing for the coaches, who have strenuously denied the claims made in the report.”

Former Hawks football department staffer Jason Burt expressed how “aggrieved” he was in a statement to the Herald Sun on Tuesday night that “Hawthorn saw fit to commission the report but did not give me the opportunity to respond to the allegations before the report was finalized and handed to the AFL”.

“It is my hope that the investigation to be conducted by the AFL is both fair and transparent, and that I will be given the opportunity to both give my account and test the accounts of those who have apparently made allegations against me,” he said.

The AFL has been contacted for comment regarding its ongoing panel search and any associated appointments.

Both Clarkson and Fagan – who have hired top legal brass in recent days – will not start back at their respective clubs until the investigation has been completed.

“The AFLCA is continuing to offer both coaches our support with a focus on their personal wellbeing,” Nicholson said.

Norm Smith medal-winning Geelong player and former Hawk Isaac Smith said the key Hawthorn figures at the centre of the allegations needed to have their side heard.

“Yeah, I was, I was shocked (by the revelations),” the four-time flag-winner said on SEN on Wednesday afternoon.

“Certainly through my experience at the Hawthorn Football Club, I can only speak on a personal point of view, but I had a great experience. Everyone involved at the club was fantastic to me and fantastic to my family.

“I think we need the process to play out. Both sides certainly need to have their side heard.”

League boss Gillon McLachlan announced last Wednesday that the league would initiate the process for an external investigation.

He said the four-person panel would comprise two men and two women, include “an eminent King’s Counsel” and people with First Nations expertise.

He then said on Thursday that it was hoped the panel would be in place before the Grand Final, but consultation has remained ongoing into this week.

Despite calls from those named in its contents, Hawthorn has maintained that it has not and will not share the report given it was commissioned on a basis of confidentiality.

Originally published as Hawthorn racism scandal: Alastair Clarkson releases statement denying harrowing allegations