Brisbane have vowed to stand behind coach Chris Fagan, amid an investigation into allegations of his treatment of First Nations players while at Hawthorn.
Fagan has taken leave from his duties after last week’s explosive report alleged his involvement in shocking treatment of past Hawks Indigenous players. He, then-Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson and player development manager Jason Burt were all named in the report.
In a statement released on Sunday afternoon, Lions chairman Andrew Wellington has expressed his and the club’s commitment to stand by Fagan, who has been senior coach at Brisbane since late 2016.
“Since Chris Fagan arrived at the Brisbane Lions in October 2016, he has been more than just our Head Coach. He has been a role model, a mentor, and a father figure,” the statement reads.
“He has played a key role in steering our Club into the strong position it’s in today; integral to our success on and off the field.
“In all of my dealings with Chris over the past six years, he has always made the welfare of our players and staff an utmost priority.
Chris Fagan. (AAP Image/Julian Smith)
“Chris has been a great supporter of all of our players and their families and has worked hard to ensure our Club provides a culturally safe environment for everyone.
“We stand by Chris as he commits himself to be part of the AFL investigation, which gives him procedural fairness, into allegations concerning historical events at the Hawthorn Football Club, where he was a former employee.
“Chris has categorically denied any wrongdoing. It has been a distressing and difficult week for Chris, his wife Ursula, and his family, as it has for many, and we strongly support his right to a fair, impartial, and independent investigative process.”
The AFL is in the process of establishing an investigation committee to look into the claims of racism detailed in the Hawthorn report, in which neither Fagan nor Clarkson were spoken to.
Fagan has categorically denied any accusations of wrongdoing during his time at the Hawks; according to journalist Caroline Wilson, the 61-year old has also specifically denied being at a meeting in which a former player claims Clarkson urged him to terminate his partner’s pregnancy.
Fagan led the Lions to a surprise preliminary final appearance in 2022, before being soundly beaten by eventual premiers Geelong.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I think any journalist presented with this information would have behaved the same way
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Simon, if the AFL pursue this investigation surely this has got to rehash the whole Collingwood history and what was the result there, nothing was done .
Cat
Roar Guru
That’s what hawthorn did.
Russ
Roar Rookie
The AFL should be very very dirty upon Hawthorn. This review should have been terminated when Hawthorn realised the alleged seriousness of the evidence presented to them, they then should have handed it over to the AFL to conduct a full and proper investigation. To cap matters off the report has been leaked. What a mess.
theirishman
Roar Rookie
Wow.
Cat
Roar Guru
Then don’t whinge when others do it if you’re going to do it yourself.
Simoc
Roar Rookie
What a stupid comment. The AFL have failed the First Nations people on every occasion for decades. They are racist to the bone. It quite obviously needs to be independent to be of any value to Australia.
theirishman
Roar Rookie
Pretty sure I used the word 'if'. Seems it's okay to hang the accused 'if' the allegations are true, and 'if' they are they deserve what they cop. 'If' the allegations are not true then surely the contrary applies. I do get that's probably not a kosher stance to take but feel it's equally logical, sound and valid.
Cat
Roar Guru
Media says something - they shouldn’t say anything until all the facts are known and public. Media says nothing - why aren’t they saying anything? Ps- plenty being said if you pay attention and don’t rely on a single source.
Cat
Roar Guru
You want everyone to give the accused a fair shake and wait until the investigation is complete before casting judgement but here you are casting judgement on the accusers with nothing to go on.
theirishman
Roar Rookie
That's okay bro. You tell me how it is/should be and I'll get on board.
O M
Roar Rookie
Agree. Clarkson and Fagan have chosen to approach this in a calm measured way. It also appears that they are getting others to speak out in support.....a bit of PR work there. At face value, it definitely look as though there was something unsavoury going on.....why would these guys suddenly make this stuff up? I'm not sure how Clarko & Fages get out of this one. I think they're probably gone.
dargerovitch
Roar Rookie
"They had there chance to and they declined." (their , not there , but that's a minor point.) The major points are they wanted to see the whole report before responding and they are waiting for the AFL's inquiry to state their cases. In a case as serious as this one is , nobody has to respond to a journalist's questions before the matter is dealt with under strict legal conditions. Surely you know journos can put the wrong emphasis on quotes , can twist things to suit their agenda ,and are often unreliable. Just wait for the AFL inquiry and hope all the facts come out there.
Gary
Roar Rookie
??? Read your comments.
theirishman
Roar Rookie
From where you sit and view the world.
Gary
Roar Rookie
The irony of your comment.
Gary
Roar Rookie
It is the LNP's ABC. Scomo appointed a conservative tabloid magazine editor as head.
Gary
Roar Rookie
They, Fagan at least, were offered additional time if they needed... it was not taken up. This seems to be standard practice.
Angela
Roar Rookie
They were not shown the report. As far as I'm aware they still have not seen it. The ABC journalist gave them 24 hours to respond (a list of questions) to the allegations in the article he'd written. That was the first they'd heard of it.
Eureka
Guest
When you accuse a person you must front them face to face and if it is found that you lied and falsely accused you must receive the same penalty that the person you accused would have received if found guilty, simple - that’s the OT.