Hawthorn Football Club is facing a huge financial settlement with Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan over the fallout from the racism report
- Hawks could be forced to pay more than $1 million
- Clarkson and Fagan demand public apology
- Kennett says the club will not be ashamed to apologize
The Hawks could be forced to pay Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt a settlement of more than $1 million for the reputational damage caused by the club’s handling of the Binmada report.
In May, the AFL completed its investigation into allegations of historic racism at Hawthorn, with “no adverse findings” made against former coach Clarkson, former football boss Fagan and former welfare manager Burt.
The AFL has conducted an investigation into the Binmada report – Hawthorn’s cultural security review – and is expected to “make amends” with the club’s former staff, as well as former Indigenous players and staff. The age reported on Tuesday.
The Age also suggested Hawthorn could be forced to pay over $1 million combined to the three former club members.
Clarkson and Fagan are also asking the club to publicly apologize for the professional and personal harm they have both suffered as a result of the club’s handling of the report.
Hawthorn could be forced to pay Alastair Clarkson (left), Chris Fagan and Jason Burt a severance payment of more than $1 million
Clarkson and former Hawks assistant Chris Fagan were cleared of any wrongdoing by the investigation launched by the AFL to investigate the Hawthorn racism saga
Ex-Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett criticized suggestions the Hawks should pay compensation or “apologize” for the Binmada review.
“I will not be ashamed to apologize and I have to say this is not a good start for the AFL administration,” he told The Age.
“It would be completely wrong for the AFL to penalize Hawthorn and it would be completely wrong for the club to use members’ funds to pay for something it did not do.”
“This isn’t Hawthorn’s fault.” This isn’t Hawthorn’s fault.”
The Hawks saga began last year after former Indigenous star Cyril Rioli and his wife Shannyn Ah Sam-Rioli publicly claimed they had been badly treated during their time at the club.
This led to an internal review of current and former Indigenous players, which led to explosive allegations of racism being leaked to the media last September.
Clarkson and Fagan are also demanding a public apology from the club for the professional and personal harm they have suffered
Clarkson, Fagan and Burt vehemently denied any wrongdoing throughout the matter.
Clarkson, who was appointed North Melbourne coach in 2023, said a personal farewell to the Kangaroos during the saga, saying the strain had taken a toll on him both mentally and physically.
Fagan, now head coach of the Brisbane Lions, has also spoken out about the impact of the investigation, saying he refused to leave his house during the day when the situation was at its worst.
The families at the center of the club’s racism investigation plan to present their case to the Human Rights Commission and will appear at a hearing on December 16.