Alastair Clarkson 'shocked' by Hawthorn allegations as AFL launches independent investigation

Former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson has mentioned he refutes “any allegation of wrongdoing or misconduct” concerning claims concerning the membership’s remedy of First Nations gamers.

Clarkson — together with Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan — was named in an exterior overview 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 overview doc was handed to Hawthorn’s senior administration two weeks in the past and is now with the AFL integrity unit.

In line with the households of three gamers interviewed by ABC Sport, the alleged incidents on the centre of the overview befell 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 all the time my highest priorities throughout my time at Hawthorn Soccer Membership,” Clarkson mentioned in a media assertion.

“I used to be subsequently shocked by the extraordinarily critical allegations reported within the media earlier immediately.

“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 immediately contacted the president of North Melbourne Soccer Membership and now we have mutually agreed that I’ll step again from my tasks on the membership so I can totally cooperate within the investigation.

“Because the issues are actually topic to an investigation, I cannot make any additional remark at this stage.”

North Melbourne had earlier launched an announcement 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 is not going to 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 an announcement 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 through the Hawthorn sponsored overview and appears ahead to the chance to be heard as a part of the AFL investigation.”

‘Critical allegations’

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Gillon McLachlan talk about Hawthorn racism allegations

AFL chief government Gillon McLachlan mentioned the allegations made within the exterior overview can be “totally investigated”.

“These are critical allegations. It will be significant that we deal with them appropriately whereas additionally making certain a proper course of offers assist to these impacted, and in addition pure justice to these people who find themselves accused.

McLachlan mentioned the AFL would appoint an exterior four-person panel “unbiased of a standard AFL integrity division response” to steer the investigation.

“The unbiased panel … will probably be appropriately expert, have the correct mix of range and an method that prioritises cultural security for all those that have shared their experiences,” he mentioned.

“We have to run a correct investigation to unravel it and that is essential, 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 via to 2016.

Hawks reply to allegations

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Hawthorn CEO finds racism report ‘extraordinarily disturbing’ and ‘heartbreaking’

Hawthorn chief government Justin Reeves described the allegations within the report as “extraordinarily disturbing”.

“While you do open an investigation into a few of your (Hawthorn) previous, you by no means know what might emerge,” he mentioned.

“You’re all the time involved however you’re all the time and, when you go about it with the … we’re doing it for the correct purpose and that it to ensure that our folks, if required, get the assist that they require.

“Then that’s validated for me every single day 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 thought of what was to come back out of these conversations. We did not communicate to anybody exterior of that group whereas the consultants did not communicate to anybody exterior of that group.”

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