Former Hawks legend claims Alastair Clarkson was denied service at a petrol station over racism saga
Hawks legend claims Alastair Clarkson has been refused service at a petrol station over a racism scandal – with embattled coach facing ‘unlikely’ sanctions
- The racism scandal at Hawks continues to drag on
- A solution eight months later seems unlikely
- Alastair Clarkson is furious about his treatment
- Was targeted at a gas station after the story came out
- The former Hawks coach has denied any allegations
Hawthorn great Jordan Lewis has revealed that his former coach Alastair Clarkson was denied service at a gas station when the racism scandal involving First Nations players was first reported last September.
It comes because the embattled coach – as well as Chris Fagan and Jason Burt – are ‘unlikely’ to face sanctions based on the evidence presented so far in the Hawthorn inquiry into racism.
Lewis, who won four premierships with the Hawks, didn’t mince words on Fox Footy.
He stated that the club have ‘blood on their hands’ and that Clarkson is the ‘most resilient person I have ever come across in my life’.
“The more I talk about it, the angrier I get,” Lewis said.
Hawthorn great Jordan Lewis has revealed former coach Alastair Clarkson was refused service at a petrol station when the racism scandal was first reported in September
Lewis told Fox Footy that Clarkson deserves better and the chance to clear his name
When the news first broke, he [Clarkson] went to the coast to get away from it all.
“He pulled up at a gas station and the person behind the counter refused to serve him. Because of these allegations.
“I don’t know how many times that would have happened in his day-to-day life, but it would wear you out.”
Lewis was not done yet, stating that those “assigned to interview both sides of the situation to get a clearer picture of what actually happened have not done their job.”
“I feel for the indigenous players because they probably got into this situation hoping there would be an outcome. Again, eight months later, they still feel they are in limbo,” he added.
The same goes for the other side of the camp. She [three coaches] didn’t even get a chance to talk.
“I couldn’t imagine they would want to go back to the [Hawthorn] football club for a very, very long time. It’s really sad.’
Clarkson stepped down as Kangaroos head coach indefinitely this week, citing his mental health as a result of the investigation – Brett Ratten (pictured right) will take over in the meantime
It comes as Clarkson stepped down as senior coach at North Melbourne indefinitely on Thursday, citing mental health concerns stemming from the saga during his time at Hawthorn.
A report inside The age researchers revealed are being urged to end the eight-month investigation.
Clarkson himself would be “second guess,” and he told North Melbourne president Sonja Hood and CEO Jennifer Watt on Wednesday that he “needs help” and is not in the current headspace of being head coach.
Brett Ratten becomes the interim coach at Arden St and is “willing to step up for my mate and my club.”