Lions coach steps aside

Fagan reacts to Hawthorn racism report

BRISBANE coach Chris Fagan has stood down pending an AFL investigation into the treatment of Indigenous players and their families in his time at Hawthorn.

The Lions on Wednesday confirmed Fagan would take leave from his position as senior coach to allow the league the time and scope to speak to former Hawthorn Indigenous players about harrowing allegations they were mistreated.

The Lions said Fagan would co-operate fully with the league investigation.

The Brisbane Lions’ statement said the club was “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.”

“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 statement said. “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.”

Hawthorn commissioned an investigation into the treatment of its Indigenous players this year and conceded on Wednesday the “important work has raised disturbing historical allegations”.

Fagan was a right-hand man for Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson from 2008-2016, firstly as head of development and coaching and then football boss from 2013. He took over as Brisbane coach in 2016.

The AFL will commission an independent, externallyrun investigation into damning allegations surrounding Hawthorn and key football figures.

League chief executive Gillon McLachlan announced that a four-person panel, led by an eminent Kings Counsel, would investigate allegations about the past treatment of Indigenous players at the Hawthorn Football Club.

An external review that was commissioned by the Hawks into its recent history involving First Nations players has reportedly revealed shocking allegations involving multiple players, one of who it is claimed had made several attempts on their own life in the aftermath.

It has been alleged that

Lions coach Chris Fagan. young First Nations players had been separated from their partners and one player and their partner were encouraged to terminate a pregnancy. The document reportedly includes allegations against Clarkson.