Chris Fagan has “categorically” rejected claims of any wrongdoing made against him in the Hawthorn racism report.
Fagan was the Hawks’ football boss at the time of the accusations from the ABC report that details disturbing first-hand experiences of three First Nations players that tore them apart from their families, which came to light after an external review commissioned by the club.
The 61-year old on Wednesday agreed to step down from his current role as the Brisbane Lions coach while the AFL launches an independent probe into the matter, an investigation he’ll fully cooperate with.
Watch Fox Footy’s massive line-up of Grand Final week coverage on Kayo including live pre-game, half-time and post-game coverage with full analysis from the best team in the business. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
MORE COVERAGE …
CLARKO RESPONDS: ‘Shocked’ Clarkson rejects claims in Hawks report
ROCKED: Calls for Clarkson, Fagan to go if ‘disturbing’ claims found true
ON LEAVE: Fagan steps away amid shocking report claims
“I was shocked and deeply distressed by the allegations reported in the media yesterday concerning my time at the Hawthorn Football Club,” Fagan said in a statement to AFL Media.
“I deny, categorically, the allegations of wrongdoing by me in relation to First Nations players at the Hawthorn Football Club. I have had very positive relationships with First Nations players throughout my many years in football, and, indeed players from different racial and ethnic groups.
“I had no opportunity to, and did not, participate in any way in the review commissioned by the Hawthorn Football Club. I was not interviewed. Nor was I invited to be interviewed. No one associated with the review ever put any allegation to me for a response.
“I intend to defend myself. It is my hope that people will judge me based upon the way I actually conduct myself and not by what is written in the media. I support and welcome the investigation announced by the AFL yesterday. I intend to participate fully in the investigation and look forward to being heard and being accorded due process and fairness.
“In the meantime, as announced by the Brisbane Lions Football Club yesterday, the club and I have mutually agreed that I will take a leave of absence from the club.
“As the matter is now under investigation I will make no further comment at this stage.”
Alastair Clarkson, who was coach of the Hawks at the time and recently joined North Melbourne on a five-year deal, also emphatically denied any wrongdoing while delaying his November 1 start date with the Kangaroos throughout the league probe.
Earlier reports stated Fagan denied he was at the alleged meeting where an anonymous former Hawthorn player was pressured into having his partner’s pregnancy terminated for the sake of the player’s career.
Ex-Hawks development manager Jason Burt has also taken indefinite indefinite leave from his current role at Melbourne private school Caulfield Grammar amid the damning allegations, while former club president Andrew Newbold has stood down from his position as AFL commissioner due to a conflict of interest during the league’s investigation.
The AFL’s independent panel that’ll probe the accusations will reportedly be made up of two women and two Indigenous representatives.
