sport news Hawthorn racism scandal: AFL investigation hits a huge snag as Indigenous ... trends now

sport news Hawthorn racism scandal: AFL investigation hits a huge snag as Indigenous ... trends now
sport news Hawthorn racism scandal: AFL investigation hits a huge snag as Indigenous ... trends now

sport news Hawthorn racism scandal: AFL investigation hits a huge snag as Indigenous ... trends now

The AFL's investigation into the bombshell claims made by Indigenous families about their treatment at Hawthorn has hit an early roadblock.

The families are reportedly hesitant to revisit the traumatic allegations made against Hawthorn, specifically ex-coaches Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan as well as former player development manager Jason Burt. 

Those harrowing allegations include claims an Indigenous player was urged to tell his partner to abort their child and break up with her.

That same player, with the alias of 'Ian', alleges he was 'manipulated and convinced to remove my SIM card from my phone so there was no further contact between my family and me'. 

Former Hawthorn coaches Alastair Clarkson (left) and Chris Fagan (right) are at the centre of harrowing racism allegations against the club

Former Hawthorn coaches Alastair Clarkson (left) and Chris Fagan (right) are at the centre of harrowing racism allegations against the club

Hawthorn's former player development manager, Jason Burt, has also been named in the club's investigation into racism claims by Indigenous players

Hawthorn's former player development manager, Jason Burt, has also been named in the club's investigation into racism claims by Indigenous players

The allegations were revealed as a result of Hawthorn's independent inquiry into how Indigenous players at the club were previously treated.

When the 'harrowing and disturbing' claims emerged in an ABC report, AFL boss Gillon McLachlan acknowledged it was a 'challenging read', and promised the league would conduct their own independent investigation.

That investigation would be undertaken by a four-person panel, with Clarkson, Fagan and Burt given a right of reply.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan swiftly announced the league would be undertaking an independent investigation into the racism claims

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan swiftly announced the league would be undertaking an independent investigation into the racism claims

Given the Indigenous families have already described the traumatic allegations in graphic detail to the Hawthorn inquiry author Phil Egan and ABC journalist Russell Jackson, they are said to have 'serious reservations' about being interviewed again, according to the Herald Sun

Some of the claims in the inquiry have also reportedly been backed up by a Hawthorn assistant coach.

Assembling the four-man panel will be a delicate process in order to assure all parties have their say and get a right of reply.

Indigenous former Hawthorn players have made some disturbing allegations about their treatment while at the club

Indigenous former Hawthorn players have made some disturbing allegations about their treatment while at the club

On Monday, the AFL Coaches Association (AFLCA) released a statement imploring the league to appoint a former coach or administrator on the panel, in order to give context to coach-player communications. 

'The AFL Coaches Association is urging the AFL to include a well-credentialled current or former football administrator on the panel,' the statement said.

'It would significantly enhance the investigation if someone who intimately understand that environment (football clubs) and has deep

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