By Jon Pierik
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has categorically denied allegations of wrongdoing against Indigenous players during his time at Hawthorn.
In a statement provided to the AFL website, published on Thursday afternoon, Fagan said he was “deeply distressed” and would co-operate fully with the independent AFL investigation which was announced by league chief executive Gillon McLachlan on Wednesday.
Brisbane Lions senior coach Chris Fagan.Credit: AFL Photos
It comes after a report by external consultants raised allegations made by Indigenous former Hawks players. Some players alleged that during their playing days at Hawthorn they were told to live separately from their families, and, in some cases, forced to cut ties. One player and his partner were allegedly pressured to terminate a pregnancy.
“I was shocked and deeply distressed by the allegations reported in the media yesterday concerning my time at the Hawthorn Football Club,” Fagan said in the statement provided to the AFL website.
“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’s statement came a day after former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson, also implicated in the report, denied any wrongdoing. Clarkson has taken a leave of absence and will not start his new role as North Melbourne coach as slated on November 1. Fagan has also taken a leave of absence while the investigation is held.
Both coaches will be afforded “natural justice” by an independent panel, the AFL said. Clarkson and Fagan were not interviewed for the Hawthorn report, in which external consultants spoke to Indigenous players about their experiences at the club.
Andrew Newbold, the former Hawthorn president from 2012-15, including when the club won three straight flags, has taken a leave of absence from his role on the AFL commission. This is to avoid a conflict of interest.
Industry sources have confirmed all the parties involved will have strong legal representation. These sources have also raised the possibility of defamation proceedings.
Stuart Fox, who was the Hawks chief executive officer from 2010 to 2016, will remain in his role as MCC CEO. He has not been implicated in the report.
The AFL has dealt with several major racism issues over the past decade. This included the booing of Adam Goodes, the Collingwood furore which led to the Do Better report, and the scandal that was Adelaide Crows’ infamous pre-season camp, as detailed recently by Eddie Betts.
McLachlan said on Thursday that he supported increased Indigenous representation at club level, and had not ruled out quotas to require an Indigenous Australian on all club boards.
“The difficult days, days like yesterday … as I looked into the screens last night … I was incredibly disappointed in where we were. But what you actually do is you relish the opportunity to make change and to lead and to improve,” he said on ABC radio.
“I hope that history says that all allegations will be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially.”
Speaking at the MCG later in the day, McLachlan said the independent panel to conduct the investigation will be named by the grand final.
“This is very important. These are very serious accusations. Lots of people want to be heard here,” he said.
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