A major development in the football racism scandal, as coaches begin grilling in front of their accusers
- Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan will face the Human Rights Commission
- They will be joined by Jason Burt in a mediation process
- Trio denies allegations of racism against Hawthorn players
Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan will come face to face with their accusers after the football coaches were called to a meeting with the Human Rights Commission over the Hawthorn racism scandal.
According to 7NEWS, the Human Rights Commission is involved in the scandal that rocked the AFL when it first emerged in 2022.
Clarkson and Fagan, then coach and assistant coach of Hawthorn Football Club respectively, have been accused of racism towards former Hawks players. The pair deny the allegations against them.
The duo, along with former aide Jason Burt, will conduct a ‘reconciliation process’ at the Commission on March 26 and 27.
Conciliation is a similar process to mediation and it will see the trio face their accusers, including AFL great Cyril Rioli.
Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan will appear before the Human Rights Commission next month
A number of Hawthorn stars, including Cyril Rioli, have accused them of racism
The meeting will take place just days before Clarkson and Fagan oversee the Monster Games over the Easter weekend. Clarkson now coaches North Melbourne while Fagan is in charge of Brisbane Lions.
Fagan will coach the Lions in the grand final rematch against Collingwood on March 28, while Clarkson’s Kangaroos will take on Carlton on Good Friday.
Despite the impact on match preparation, Seven adds that both coaches believe their participation in the mediation is a clear sign of commitment to the process.
Last May, the AFL closed its investigation into the coaches, ruling there was ‘no misconduct’.
There is hope that the saga will end with the Commission, rather than developing into the legal system.
Clarkson, Fagan and Jason Burt deny the allegations against them
Clarkson and Fagan have strongly denied the claims. Last May, Clarkson took a mental break from the sport as a result of the case.
“The game is embarrassed, obviously myself, ‘Fages’ and Jason, our families are embarrassed. Indigenous families and First Nations families have been disgraced,” Clarkson said last year.
“The damage has been done, the reputation has been damaged and we have to get our reputation back somehow through this whole process.”