“We told our truths in confidence,because we believed that it would bring change. And because we needed to heal and move on. That confidence was betrayed.”
The families stressed that they were not seeking a financial settlement.
“All we ever wanted was to sit with the coaches and officials we looked up to,and who had such control over our lives and our futures,and make them understand what we heard ... we are gutted that these so-called AFL role models weren’t prepared to listen to our truths through mediation.”
Fagan has previously denied that he ever said he wasunwilling to participate in mediation. Last month he said he was open to mediation but would not enter such a process based on accepting demands.
Around the same time,Clarkson was asked directly if he would be open to mediation,to which he said “first and foremost” he wanted to speak to the AFL panel investigating the matter.
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The letter goes on to express the families’ satisfaction with the settlement agreement they reached with the AFL on Tuesday,explaining that it was achieved “not out of fear,but strength”.
Central to the agreement was a formal apology to all First Nations players for racism in football from AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan on behalf of the league.
“They acknowledged our pain and hurt when we were at Hawthorn. They made a legally binding promise to us to combat racism in football. And the game will be safer for all First Nations families because of it,” the statement said.
The Hawks launched a “cultural safety review”,entitled theBinmada Report,following an interview inThe Age in April last year with Rioli and Ah Sam-Rioli,in which they said they were poorly treated during his playing career and that she was “belittled and humiliated”.
After Hawthorn received the initial report,it was handed over to the AFL’s integrity unit for further investigation.
Details of some of the allegations uncovered in the review were reported by the ABC in September last year,before those subject to the serious accusations had an opportunity to officially respond by Hawthorn or the AFL.
Clarkson,the four-time premiership coach,his former football boss Fagan,and former welfare manager Burt had strenuously denied all allegations in the original ABC story and had said they look forward to clearing their names.
Club president Andy Gowers has said he would be disappointed if the AFL was to sanction the club and did not rule out the Hawks taking legal action against the AFL if they felt any penalties were unwarranted.
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