There’s a fresh twist in Hawthorn’s racism investigation, with a former player and his wife considering legal action over the club’s handling of the allegations.
The Herald Sun released a statement from the couples’ lawyer, Judy Courtin, on behalf of the pair – referred to as “Paul” and “Mary” — saying they feel “abandoned” by the club while detailing their “hurt and trauma.”
The statement also revealed that the couple are refusing to participate in the AFL’s investigation into the racism saga some seven months on from it first being launched.
Watch every match of every round of the 2023 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
St Kilda tracking down racism culprit | 00:55
“We feel that Hawthorn and the AFL have attempted to wipe their hands clean of us, and worse, to blame us for what happened to us,” the statement reads.
“We feel abandoned by the very club that was promising to understand and address our hurt and trauma.
“Once again we feel as though our voices are being silenced or controlled in processes that are not independent or safe. We are fearful, scared, intimidated and all of the feelings from the past are, once again, so familiar.”
In her statement, Dr Courtin said the couple would consider civil litigation and that their lives had been “turned upside down” by the matter. She also claimed the couple been “forced to beg, cap in hand” for counselling support after their alleged ordeal had become public knowledge.
Gawn feared the worst with knee injury | 00:46
Furthermore, Dr Courtin said Hawthorn and the AFL’s handling of the matter had “re-traumatised” her clients, as had the leaking of their personal information, claiming Hawthorn executive Justin Reeves’s public statements of support had been “nothing more than virtue-signalling, hypocrisy and pretence”.
Former club coaches Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan, who are yet to be interviewed as part of the probe, have denied any wrongdoing in response to the allegations.
The league initially claimed its investigation panel would reach findings by Christmas, but the process has been slowed.
Reeves responded in a statement: “Our focus has and will always be on the wellbeing of everyone involved.
“The club has provided support to the family referred to by Judy Courtin. This includes agreeing to provide financial support for 30 counselling sessions to a counsellor of their choice.”
