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5 months ago
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Footy legend Leigh Matthews has made the astounding claim that the only accusation levelled at Chris Fagan in the Hawthorn racism scandal is that he 'nodded his head once in a meeting'.
Fagan - who served as head coach Alastair Clarkson's assistant from 2008 to 2016 and now coaches the Brisbane Lions - was among Hawks staffers who were swept up in horrific accusations of racism from former Indigenous players at the club.
The allegations raised in an ABC report in September 2022 included claims that Hawthorn staff had pressured the partner of an Indigenous player to have an abortion, and demanded the separation of Indigenous families to improve players' performances on the field.
Last week it was revealed that a former Federal Court judge found there was 'no basis whatsoever' to the claims in a report commissioned by the AFL.
Fagan (pictured right with ex-Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson when they were both coaching the Hawks) has been under intense scrutiny since the bombshell racism claims were first aired in September 2022
Now Matthews - who sits on the Lions board and is regarded as one of Hawthorn's greatest ever stars - has angrily lashed out at Fagan's treatment.
Speaking on radio 3AW in a fiery conversation with respected footy journalist Caroline Wilson on Sunday, Matthews branded the handling of the accusations 'shambolic' after mediation between the club and players failed.
'A player didn't even turn up,' the 72-year-old said.
'The confidentiality the accused kept has not been matched by the confidentialities of the accusers and their legal people.
'Chris Fagan never even got in the same room. The complaint for Chris Fagan is he nodded his head once in a meeting.'
Hawthorn icon and former Brisbane Lions three-time premiership-winning coach Leigh Matthews (pictured) claimed Fagan had only been accused of nodding his head once in a meeting as he angrily lashed out at the handling of the racism scandal
Fagan (pictured coaching the Brisbane Lions) and Clarkson met with the ex-players and families making the accusations back in March - but no progress was made
Wilson - who appeared to anger Matthews when she said Clarkson had showed some contrition over the matter - responded to the head-nodding remark by saying, 'I'm absolutely with you on that.'
Last Thursday the Human Rights Commission terminated the claim by former Hawks First Nations players and their partners - meaning mediation had failed and the matter will now be heard in court.
The commission threw out the case, believing there was little chance the Hawks club, former staff - including Clarkson and Fagan - and the ex-players could come to an agreement.
The players, headlined by four-time Hawthorn premiership star Cyril Rioli, and their partners, now have 60 days to take the matter to the Federal Court.
'As we have always said, we would like to see this matter resolved fairly and quickly for everyone involved,' Hawthorn president Andy Gowers said in a statement.
'We have engaged with the (Human Rights Commission] process in good faith and have made multiple attempts to resolve the matter with all parties.
Four-time flag-winner Cyril Rioli (pictured playing for Hawthorn in 2016) is the most high-profile player involved in the allegations against Hawks staff
'It is unfortunate that this was not possible via this process.
'However, we remain committed to, and will work towards, having the matter resolved.'
Clarkson and Fagan met with the complainants in person in March, just before the Easter weekend.
The AFL last year said there would be no adverse findings against Clarkson, Fagan or ex-Hawks staffer Jason Burt from an independent panel investigating claims of racism during their time at the club between 2008 and 2016.
Former Hawthorn president Jeff Kennett weighed in on the latest developments, calling it the 'correct outcome'.
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