By Peter Ryan
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan has retained lawyers from Clayton Utz, along with barristers David Turner and King’s Counsel Liam Kelly, to act on his behalf in the proposed AFL investigation into matters raised in Hawthorn’s review of the experiences of their Indigenous players.
The 61-year-old, who was coaching director and football manager at the Hawks from 2008 to 2016 before taking over as Lions coach, has denied any wrongdoing during his time at the club.
Chris Fagan has retained a legal team to assist him during an AFL investigation Credit: Getty Images
The AFL is yet to announce the four-person independent panel to oversee the investigation and sources said they were having difficulty assembling a panel of people with the appropriate expertise who are also suitable to all parties relevant to the investigation.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan told Fox Footy last week that finding the right mix of people on the panel was taking longer than initially expected.
“We want everyone to feel comfortable with the composition,” McLachlan said.
“As we talked about ... it’s an independent panel. It’ll have the right functional skills but also diversity and that’s obviously cultural and gender,” McLachlan said.
The AFL have retained lawyer Peter Gordon to act on their behalf, while the four families at the heart of the allegations that were revealed in an ABC report last week have retained Leon Zwier from Arnold-Bloch-Leibler to act on their behalf.
Fagan said in a statement he intended to participate fully in any investigation process, and would deny allegations of wrongdoing.
“I have retained Clayton Utz lawyers together with barristers Liam Kelly KC and David Turner to act on my behalf in relation to the proposed forthcoming investigation by the AFL.
“I confirm, as I said in my earlier statement, that 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.
“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.
“I await further information from the AFL.”
On Sunday, Brisbane Lions president Andrew Wellington put out a statement backing their coach who has taken a leave of absence to deal with the investigation.
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