Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan says he is “giving consideration to attending a mediation”, but not on the basis he accepts “any of the 18 supposed demands” as part of the AFL’s investigation into allegations of misconduct during his time at Hawthorn.
Fagan and former colleagues Alastair Clarkson and Jason Burt are at the centre of claims of mistreatment of Indigenous players at the club, with all three denying the allegations.
In a lengthy statement on Sunday, Fagan said he is giving consideration to mediation “in good faith with a view to arriving at a consensual resolution, if that is possible.”
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“I expect, however, that other potential participants will also approach a potential mediation in good faith.”
“I consider that the making of demands of the kind referred to in the Herald Sun article would be inconsistent with this.
“I wish to make it very clear that I will not be attending a mediation on the basis that I accept any of the 18 supposed demands.”
The 18 demands Fagan refers to were listed in a Herald Sun report on Saturday.
Those 18 demands: Truth-telling, acknowledgment, explanation, apologies, apologise for conduct of others, public apologies, contrition, education, revised club practices and policies, AFL racism review, recommendations, compensation fund, recapitalisation of the compensation fund, claims process, reparations, joint media statement, non-disparagement agreement, termination of all legal claims.
The Herald Sun report indicated it was “highly unlikely” Fagan, Clarkson and Burt would agree to the demands, thus making mediation on that basis highly unlikely.
Of reports he would not attend mediation, h Fagan said: “This is wrong. I have never said that I would not participate in a mediation.”
He also told AFL 360 this week he was “keen” to “progress the process”.
Later in his statement, Fagan wrote: “I have never given up the right to take up my concerns in the appropriate forum. I have complete faith in the court system in Australia and our system of open justice.
“I have been involved in football coaching or other roles within football clubs for approximately 40 years. I am proud of my work and my conduct. I stand behind it.
“As I referred to in my earlier statements, I deny categorically any wrongdoing by me.
“I have long been willing to participate in a fair process concerning the allegations against me but everyone has an equal right to fair treatment.
“I wish no more, and no less, than to be afforded this right.”
