Former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has stated he refutes “any allegation of wrongdoing or misconduct” concerning claims in regards to the membership’s remedy of First Nations gamers.
Key factors:
- Clarkson says he’ll cooperate with the AFL’s investigation
- He was as a consequence of begin with the Kangaroos on November 1
- Chris Fagan has taken a depart of absence on the Brisbane Lions
Clarkson — together with Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan — was named in an exterior evaluation commissioned by Hawthorn into the remedy of First Nations gamers on the membership and which is known to element allegations by a number of former gamers that they have been pressured by the membership to separate themselves from companions and households.
The evaluation doc was handed to Hawthorn’s senior administration two weeks in the past and is now with the AFL integrity unit.
Based on the households of three gamers interviewed by ABC Sport, the alleged incidents on the centre of the evaluation passed off throughout Clarkson’s time as Hawthorn head coach.
Clarkson — who was final month appointed as North Melbourne coach — led Hawthorn from 2005 to 2021.
“The well being, care and welfare of our gamers, workers and their households have been at all times my highest priorities throughout my time at Hawthorn Soccer Membership,” Clarkson stated in a media assertion.
“I used to be due to this fact shocked by the extraordinarily severe allegations reported within the media earlier at the moment.
“I used to be not interviewed by the authors of the report commissioned by the membership, and nor have I been supplied with a replica of the report.
“I used to be not afforded any due course of and I refute any allegation of wrongdoing or misconduct and stay up for the chance to be heard as a part of the AFL exterior investigation.
“I’ve at the moment contacted the president of North Melbourne Soccer Membership and we now have mutually agreed that I’ll step again from my obligations on the membership so I can absolutely cooperate within the investigation.
“Because the issues at the moment are topic to an investigation, I can’t make any additional remark at this stage.”
North Melbourne had earlier launched a press release saying Clarkson would delay the beginning of his tenure on the membership whereas the AFL investigated the allegations.
“Given the issues raised are confidential and the investigation is ongoing, the membership won’t present any additional remark at the moment,” the assertion concluded.
Fagan — who’s now taking a depart of absence from the Lions whereas the AFL investigates the allegations — was an assistant coach at Hawthorn on the time.
The Brisbane Lions launched a press release on Wednesday afternoon confirming Fagan would cooperate with the AFL’s investigation.
“Chris helps and welcomes the investigation”, the assertion learn.
“He was not consulted throughout the Hawthorn sponsored evaluation and appears ahead to the chance to be heard as a part of the AFL investigation.”
‘Critical allegations’
AFL chief government Gillon McLachlan stated the allegations made within the exterior evaluation could be “absolutely investigated”.
“These are severe allegations. It can be crucial that we deal with them appropriately whereas additionally guaranteeing a proper course of gives assist to these impacted, and likewise pure justice to these people who find themselves accused.
McLachlan stated the AFL would appoint an exterior four-person panel “unbiased of a standard AFL integrity division response” to steer the investigation.
“The unbiased panel … can be appropriately expert, have the correct mix of range and an strategy that prioritises cultural security for all those that have shared their experiences,” he stated.
“We have to run a correct investigation to resolve it and that is necessary, out of respect for these making the allegations and out of respect for these being accused.”
The AFL introduced commissioner Andrew Newbold will take a depart of absence whereas the investigation is carried out.
Newbold was Hawthorn president from 2012 by means of to 2016.
Hawks reply to allegations
Hawthorn chief government Justin Reeves described the allegations within the report as “extraordinarily disturbing”.
“Whenever you do open an investigation into a few of your (Hawthorn) previous, you by no means know what might emerge,” he stated.
“You’re at all times involved however you’re at all times and, if you happen to go about it with the … we’re doing it for the best motive and that it to guarantee that our individuals, if required, get the assist that they require.
“Then that’s validated for me daily of the week.
“This course of was initiated by the membership and it was to talk purely to our First Nations previous gamers and workers.
“We had no concept of what was to return out of these conversations. We did not converse to anybody outdoors of that group whereas the consultants did not converse to anybody outdoors of that group.”