Chris Fagan breaks his silence on horror racism and abortion allegations Alastair Clarkson Hawthorn
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Chris Fagan has joined Alastair Clarkson in denying any wrongdoing in the AFL racism scandal, saying he is “deeply disturbed” by allegations that threaten his coaching career.
Both coaches say they are participating in an independent investigation into racism claims from their time at Hawthorn, which the federal government describes as “sickening”.
The AFL plans to appoint a four-member panel of investigators, led by counsel for the king.
In the meantime, Fagan has said goodbye to his coaching post in Brisbane, while Clarkson will postpone his new appointment at North Melbourne.
Fagan (pictured right with ex-Hawthorn head coach Alastair Clarkson in 2016) has categorically denied allegations, including that he was involved in telling a native Hawthorn player to get his partner to end her pregnancy
Jason Burt, former Hawthorn player welfare manager, has indefinitely retired from his position as head of coaching and performance sports at Caulfield Grammar private school in Melbourne.
In addition, ex-Hawks president Andrew Newbold has taken leave of absence from the AFL commission.
“I was shocked and deeply disturbed by the allegations reported in the media yesterday about my time at the Hawthorn Football Club,” Fagan said in a statement to AFL.com.au on Thursday.
“I categorically deny allegations of wrongdoing by me regarding First Nations players at Hawthorn Football Club.
“I’ve had very positive relationships with First Nations players over my many years in football, and indeed with players of different racial and ethnic groups.”
‘Shocked and deeply saddened’: Fagan’s future in football is threatened by the surprising allegations and he says he looks forward to getting his side of events involved in an AFL investigation
The allegations of racism were reported on Wednesday by the ABC, following an investigation commissioned by Hawthorn earlier this year.
Fagan said he was not interviewed as part of the Hawthorn review.
The ABC said Fagan, Clarkson and Burt did not respond to questions put to them.
“I intend to defend myself,” Fagan said.
“I hope people will judge me by the way I actually behave and not by what’s in the media.
“I support and welcome the investigation announced by the AFL yesterday.
“I intend to participate fully in the investigation and I look forward to being heard and given a fair trial and fairness.”
Jason Burt was Hawthorn’s player development manager under Alastair Clarkson. He has now stepped down from his job at a leading private school in Melbourne indefinitely after being named in the surprising allegations revealed in an ABC report on Wednesday.
Among the many allegations made by unnamed former Hawthorn players, Fagan and Clarkson were accused of telling a player and his partner to terminate their pregnancy and split up so the player could focus on football.
The partner of a player quoted in the ABC report claims that Burt told her she had to break off her relationship with the footballer for the sake of his career, and that it would be better for his football if he “didn’t become a father.” ‘.
Clarkson denied any allegations in a statement on Wednesday.
“The health, care and wellbeing of our players, staff and their families have always been my top priorities during my time at Hawthorn,” said Clarkson.
“I was therefore shocked by the extremely serious allegations that appeared in the media earlier today.”
Four-time premiership coach Clarkson was with Hawthorn between 2005 and 2021.
Fagan (pictured with Alastair Clarkson in 2018)
Fagan was a senior assistant coach to Clarkson and general manager of football with the Hawks from 2008 to 2016, before being appointed coach of Brisbane in 2017.
The furor prompted Eddie Betts to call on all AFL clubs to conduct assessments of their historic treatment of Native players, similar to Hawthorn’s.
AFL board member Travis Auld said the league will continue to consult Betts on matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players.
But it hasn’t gotten to the point where it’s acting on the suggestion of the former Carlton and Adelaide stars for widespread reviews across the league.
“Right now the focus is on putting together a panel and starting this particular investigation, because clearly there are people who are affected, and we want to get to the facts as soon as possible,” Auld told reporters on Thursday.
The AFL has said all parties will receive “natural justice” through its investigation.
“It’s important to understand the facts and talk to the people who are clearly affected by this,” Auld said.