Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and figures at the centre of allegations in the Hawthorn racism investigation have been “failed by the process,” according to pundits.
Chief Herald Sun reporter Mark Robinson revealed 18 demands were imposed on Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt, who all worked at the Hawks during the period of the alleged incidents, as well as the club as part of a mediation process.
Fagan in a statement said he wouldn’t commit to a mediation if it involved any of the 18 demands listed by the lawyers of the alleged victims, while Clarkson described the fact he hasn’t been interviewed yet by those conducting the probe “extraordinary.”
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Speaking on Fox Footy’s AFL 360, co-host Robinson said “it’s worse than extraordinary, it’s a joke,” while fellow co-host Gerard Whateley called it “unacceptable”.
“I’m now very firmly of the view that Clarkson, Fagan and Jason Burt have been failed by the process,” Whateley added.
“That makes me wonder around the spirit in which mediation has been sought. No fair minded person would even think about subjecting themselves to a mediation process with those 18 demands.”
Although not reporting it, Robinson thinks the independent panel set up by the AFL to investigate the claims will look to appoint mediators and that the league will try and organise a mediation session without the 18 demands.
For Whateley though, the independent panel should first interview Clarkson, Fagan and Burt before it passes on any responsibilities.
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“They need to interview those three figures. I feel like they’re months overdue,” Whateley said.
“I know nothing more than has been in the public domain, but that is not right.
“Justice delayed is justice denied, and these three figures have had their reputations tarnished, I suspect in some regards, permanently.
“And they are not getting a look at anything that represents fair process.”
Some seven months on from when the allegations first emerged, Robinson said he understood frustration from those involved.
“They’re frustrated. If Alastair Clarkson wasn’t on air and you were talking to him privately, he wouldn’t be as calm as what he is, and Chris Fagan,” he said.
“I can understand why he would be furious with what’s happening at the moment, they’re all being clamped.
“They’ve all signed nondisclosure accounts and they’re getting upset information is coming to me and others and we’re putting it in the paper. They’re reading it saying: ‘What is this!? We don’t know this!?’”
