AFL ends racism investigation into Hawthorn trio

May 31, 2023

Nigel Benton

The AFL has announced that it has reached an agreement with families involved in the allegations of historical racism at Hawthorn FC, making no findings against former coaches Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan, and ex-welfare manager Jason Burt.

A panel investigating historical allegations of mistreatment of First Nations players at the club has ended, making no adverse findings against Clarkson, Fagan and Burt.

An agreement was reached on Tuesday with the investigation of historical allegations of mistreatment of First Nations players at the club by the AFL’s independent panel, Chaired by Bernard Quinn KC, subsequently closed with no charges brought against any person.

Advising that no adverse findings have been made against any of the accused people, AFL Chief Executive, Gillon McLachlan acknowledged the "pain and toll" the probe took on everyone involved.

The AFL said the First Nations players and families involved in the probe had reached an agreement and "wish to resolve all differences with the AFL".

The AFL panel was announced by the AFL in October in response to the findings of a cultural safety review commissioned by Hawthorn, which uncovered allegations of mistreatment of the club's First Nations players.

The AFL investigation stalled for eight months, with both the coaches and Hawthorn families confirming they had not been formally interviewed by the panel when it was wound up.

During the period covering the allegations, Clarkson was senior coach, Fagan was an assistant and served as head of football, while Burt managed welfare issues.

All three men have continually denied allegations of wrongdoing, but Burt on Saturday confirmed aspects of one family's story in an interview with The Age, saying the coaches "overstepped the mark".

Speaking yesterday evening, McLachlan advised "from the moment that the Hawthorn Football Club's Binmada report was leaked without any opportunity for input from the persons against whom serious allegations were made, it has been a period of high distress for all parties.

"The AFL wishes to reiterate and acknowledge the significant emotional toll it has taken on everyone affected by this complex and delicate situation - those who told their stories and those who stood accused - and the public nature of how it has played out since late September 2022.

"With this backdrop, any investigation was going to be challenging."

McLachlan said there was "no financial component to" the agreement, adding “I think this is one of the more challenging things that I've seen in the game.”

In a statement published on the AFL website on Tuesday night, the League confirmed the complainants wanted to resolve their differences with the AFL and, under the agreement, would not make any claims against the league through the courts or the Australian Human Rights Commission in relation to their allegations.

However, the agreement does not preclude the AFL from bringing a charge against Hawthorn over its handling and oversight of the cultural safety report (Binmada Report).

McLachlan added “I’m not preempting it, but I am certainly not ruling it out.”

About the author

Nigel Benton

Co-founder/Publisher, Australasian Leisure Management

Born in the English county of Dorset, Nigel Benton is the co-founder and Publisher of Australasian Leisure Management, Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific’s only magazine for professionals in all areas of the leisure industry and the www.ausleisure.com.au website - the go to news resource for industry leaders and professionals.

With a long-term commitment to communicating all that is best about the leisure industry (aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues) his career has been defined by an ability to develop and implement industry communications.

Starting his career working in heritage visitor attractions and then adventure travel in Africa and the Middle East, an interest in writing about his experiences led to his change of career into magazine journalism and publishing.

In addition to publishing, Nigel speaks on marketing communications at a range of industry events.

He was made a Life Member of the World Leisure and Recreation Association in 2006 and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London).

In 2020, he launched the new Asian Leisure Business website.

As of October 2024, he was inducted into the Australian Fitness Awards Roll of Honour at the 2024 AUSactive National Awards.

Among a range of published works and features, his comments on a Blog (blogspot) from 2007 to 2011, when this website went live in its current form, may be interesting to reflect back on.

His philosophy on life is to be kind to all and to indulge those that you love.

His passions include family, Newcastle United and motorcycles (especially British ones) as well, until February 2025 when she left us, caring a little pug named Stella.

Click here to connect with him via LinkedIn.