The AFL announced on Wednesday night that commissioner Andrew Newbold,who was president of Hawthorn from 2012-16 but is not understood to be the subject of any direct allegations,had also taken a leave of absence to assist in the investigation.
“I want to also acknowledge that this is a really distressing day for the people who have shared their experiences,” AFL Commission Chairman Richard Goyder said.
Brisbane Lions senior coach Chris Fagan will take a leave of absence to cooperate with an AFL investigation into racism allegations.Credit:Getty Images
“These are serious allegations,and it is important that we treat them appropriately while also ensuring the formal process provides support to those impacted and also natural justice to those people who are accused. Andrew wholeheartedly understands this,and I have accepted his offer to take a leave of absence away from the AFL Commission while the independent investigation is undertaken.”
The ABC reported that the allegations were contained in an external review commissioned by Hawthorn into the experiences of First Nations players at the club.
North Melbourne said in a statement they were aware of “serious historical allegations made against individuals who worked at the Hawthorn Football Club,including incoming North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson”.
“The matters raised are now with the AFL’s integrity unit and Alastair welcomes the opportunity to co-operate with any investigation relating to the claims,” the statement said.
“Alastair was due to commence work with North Melbourne on November 1 however he will delay the start of his tenure to allow time to fully participate in the investigation.”
“Given the matters raised are confidential and the investigation is ongoing,the club will not provide any further comment at this time.”
Brisbane also released a statement.
“The Brisbane Lions are aware senior coach Chris Fagan will work with the AFL on an investigation into allegations concerning historical events at the Hawthorn Football Club,where he was a former employee,” the Lions said on Wednesday.
“Chris supports and welcomes the investigation.
“He was not consulted during the Hawthorn sponsored review and looks forward to the opportunity to be heard as part of the AFL investigation.
“The Brisbane Lions and Chris have mutually agreed that he will take a leave of absence from the club so he can fully co-operate in the investigation.
“As the matters are now with the AFL integrity unit,the Brisbane Lions won’t make any further comment at this stage.”
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Hawthorn referred the allegations to the AFL’s integrity unit after conducting a review with former and current First Nations players and their families.
In one incident,a player and his partner were allegedly pressured to terminate a pregnancy to further his career,the ABC reported.
Sources familiar with the review said key people at Hawthorn,who are alleged in the report to have pressured the Indigenous players,were not approached by the authors about the allegations as their brief was to speak to former indigenous players for their experiences at the club.
AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan described the allegations as “harrowing” and announced a four-person independent and external panel,led by a King’s Counsel,would investigate the claims.
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