Chris Fagan remains determined to speak out despite no mediation in Hawthorn’s racism saga
Chris Fagan was determined to speak out in an effort to clear his name despite there being no chance of mediation in the AFL’s investigation into Hawthorn’s racism saga involving First Nations players
- Chris Fagan named as key figure in alleged racism at Hawks
- Denied explosive allegations, as did Alastair Clarkson and Jason Fagan
- Mediation has since been taken off the table, but Fagan still intends to speak out
- Clarkson labeled Hawthorn’s governance and behavior as ‘simply embarrassing’
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan remains determined to speak out and ‘tell his truth’ despite mediation in the AFL investigation into Hawthorn’s racism story no longer being an option.
Fagan, 61, has categorically denied all historical allegations of mistreatment of First Nations players during his time with the Hawks.
He was named alongside Alastair Clarkson and former player development manager Jason Burt in an explosive report last September ahead of the AFL Grand Final.
While Fagan – who was employed by Hawthorn from 2008 to 2016 before becoming head coach of the Lions in 2017 – will not be involved in a mediation session, he still plans to speak publicly about the allegations.
“There are a lot of stories – I don’t know which ones are true and which aren’t,” he said.
Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan remains determined to speak out and ‘tell his truth’ despite mediation in AFL inquiry into Hawthorn’s racism story no longer an option
Fagan was employed by Hawthorn between 2008 and 2016 and has categorically denied all historical allegations of mistreatment of First Nations players during his time at the club.
“I’m just waiting for the official word from the people who are inside and involved, and I don’t really have an update on where we were last week or the week before that.
“I’m still very willing to start telling my truth if the opportunity arises, which still hasn’t happened.”
Clarkson recently stepped down as North Melbourne senior coach due to the stress of the investigation, and Hawthorn CEO Justin Reeves stepped down earlier this week.
“This investigation has taken its toll on a lot of people, and it’s not good to see,” Fagan said.
“It will be good to draw a conclusion with it sometime in the very near future, that’s ideal.”
The racism saga first started behind the scenes last April when retired Hawthorn great Cyril Rioli and his wife Shannyn laid out claims of racism at the club.
An investigation into the treatment of past and current First Nations players was quickly launched, with Indigenous adviser Phil Egan appointed to lead the report.
An irate Clarkson recently questioned the credibility of the investigation before announcing his indefinite leave as North Melbourne head coach.
Former Hawks staffer Jason Burt was also named in the report last year – and has also denied any wrongdoing
Egan completed his review in September, with explosive allegations emerging that “key people at the AFL club bullied certain players and also demanded that young First Nations players be separated from their partners, and pressured a few to terminate pregnancy for the sake of the players’. career.’
Clarkson, Fagan and Burt were the three club identities named in the report – and the trio all strenuously denied the allegations.
They were also accused of running the football department “like the Russian mafia.”
An irate Clarkson questioned the credibility of the investigation last week before announcing that he was taking an indefinite leave from the code.
But before stepping down from Arden St, he had a farewell chance at his former club Hawthorn, winning four premierships.
“There is one particular party that was the catalyst for all of this that has not been explored at all,” he said.
“Their management and conduct in this whole business, the Hawthorn Football Club, [has been] just embarrassing.’