28.09.2022
2 min read

Coaches’ Association demands AFL to take quick action on Hawthorn’s racism scandal after ‘Russian Mafia’ headlines appear

More accusations have appeared in the Hawthorn racism scandal as Chris Fagan hires top lawyers and the AFLCA tells the AFL to start their investigation now.

Chris Fagan hires high-profile lawyers in bid to clear name

The AFL Coaches’ Association is urging the AFL to “expedite” the investigation into the Hawthorn racism scandal where a review has alleged the club mistreated several First Nations players when Alastair Clarkson was the senior coach and Chris Fagan was the football manager.

The AFLCA’s plea has come on the same day the Herald Sun published quotes from a Hawthorn assistant who alleged Clarkson, Fagan, and Gold Coast chief executive Mark Evans - who was Hawthorn’s general manager at the time - ran the club like the “Russian Mafia”.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Chris Fagan hires top lawyers amid Hawthorn’s racism scandal.

Stream analysis, local footy and the biggest moments free on 7plus 7plus

The review, titled Cultural Safety Review: Of Past and Present Indigenous Players and Staff of the Hawthorn Football Club has alleged one of Hawthorn’s First Nations players was told to terminate an unborn child, and others were separated from their partners and had their sim cards removed from their phones so they could be not be contacted by partners and family.

The Herald Sun reports that the Hawthorn assistant, who was not named, told the reviewers: “If you dare question their methods, you were frozen out.”

Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan at Hawthorn’s Waverley Park base in 2016. Credit: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

“I knew this day would come ...,” the assistant, who is not Indigenous, told the reviewers.

“He [the assistant] went on to say Evans, Clarkson, Fagan and (Jason) Burt operated the football department like the Russian Mafia,” the review said. Burt was Hawthorn’s player development manager at the time and, along with Clarkson and Fagan, has expressed his innocence.

The AFLCA says it’s imperative the investigation into the matter starts immediately so the figures at the centre of the claims are “afforded natural justice given the ongoing media coverage of the issue”.

“Coaches named in the Hawthorn Football Club report were not interviewed or provided with an opportunity to respond to the allegations made before it was handed to the club and the AFL,” the AFLCA said.

“They still have not had the opportunity to respond in full to the claims made in the report, which has now been provided to two major media outlets.

“But the seriousness of the allegations does not obviate the need for a fair hearing for the coaches, who have strenuously denied the claims made in the report.”

Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan when they were at Hawthorn. Credit: Getty

7NEWS has not verified the claims or assertions made in the review and does not suggest that they are completely true or accurate. 7NEWS is only aware that the claims have been made and are being investigated.

Meanwhile, Fagan has hired a leading law firm Clayton Utz in his bid to clear his name.

Fagan has again “denied categorically” any allegations of wrongdoing in relation to Frist Nations players during his time at Hawthorn and said he intended to defend himself.

The AFL is still finalising the panel to investigate the allegations after originally hoping to announce the members of the panel before the grand final.

Former Matilda's soccer star carjacked live on air.

Former Matilda's soccer star carjacked live on air.

Stream free on

7plus logo