Brisbane have approved Chris Fagan’s immediate return to AFL coaching ahead of the investigation into historic racism claims at Hawthorn.
New North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson also has returned from overseas and is looking forward to telling his side of the story in the saga.
But the four-time Hawks premiership coach remains unclear when he will officially start at the Kangaroos.
The Lions announced on Tuesday night their board had cleared Fagan to return to coaching on Wednesday.
It follows the AFL’s release last Thursday of the terms of reference for the independent investigation of racism allegations at Hawthorn.
Senior lawyer Bernard Quinn KC was appointed on October 4 to lead the four-person panel.
Initial statements are due on November 4.
The investigation will include mediation if needed and the league is projecting it will end in December, with the resulting report to be made public.
Clarkson and Fagan stood aside from their coaching duties last month when the allegations were made public.
Clarkson has just returned from Scotland, where he spent time with Celtic soccer boss Ange Postecoglou, and welcomed receiving more details on the investigation.
“Yeah, it’s taken a bit of time to get through that (finalising the terms of reference),” Clarkson told the Nine Network.
“At least we’ve got a platform now from which we can get a chance to tell our side of the story.”
The claims centre on Clarkson’s time at Hawthorn with his then-football manager Fagan and former welfare manager Jason Burt also named in an ABC report alleging racist behaviour at the Hawks.
Clarkson, Burt and Fagan, who has taken leave from his role as the Brisbane Lions coach, deny any wrongdoing.
“Fages (Chris Fagan), myself and Jason (Burt) have been through a tough time over the last four weeks,” Clarkson said.
“I’m just pleased that they’ve been able to identify a platform in which we can reveal some of the truth behind this and then we get onto it.
Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan at a Hawthorn training session in 2016. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
“The bottom line is our most significant commitment that we need to address in the next little while is obviously the investigation.
“Fages, Jase and myself always said right from the get-go that we’d co-operate fully with whatever the AFL put in place.”
If the investigation finds anyone should be subject to a discipline process, that would be a separate process under AFL rules.
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There is still doubt over whether the parties that contributed to Hawthorn’s cultural safety review will take part in the AFL’s investigation.
Clarkson’s initial start date at North Melbourne was November 1, but that was due to be pushed back and he wouldn’t be drawn on his next steps.
“I just need to speak with our lawyers and also the AFL and the club,” he said.
“If somewhere along the line we get the opportunity to return to work, then that would be great as well but our priority is to make sure that we co-operate fully with the investigation.”
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Man I love how people are throwing out the but what would you know your white etc etc. I was learning about this stuff more than 30 years ago, before it was even a thing in Australia. My father went and lived and worked in South Africa during the 80's for 4 years while Apartheid was still happening. And if that wasn't controversial enough back then, he ended up marrying an indigenous South African lady and having two children with her, can you imagine how that went down over there at the time. I learnt so much and did alot of reading/researching back then to learn about it and was mystified how those things could still be happening in this day and age(30+ years ago), the stories I was told, the conditions over there and the things they had to deal and live with were horrendous at best, I still find it hard to believe that as humans we can treat people like we did and still do, just based on the colour of their skin. When they came back to Australia, growing up and to this day, my Sister and Brother(RIP) dealt with an awful lot of the R word, even if people were uneducated and thought they were indigenous Australians but you can imagine the stuff they had to listen too and deal with, although both being very accomplished MMA participants made things easier to deal with if required.lol. Maybe I'm wrong but I actually consider myself quite educated on these things, not saying I know it all and couldn't do with learning more either but I know alot more than what people think by simply looking at the colour of my own skin. Never judge a book by it's cover so to speak.
AdamDilligafThompson
Roar Rookie
Thats it man no matter what the colour of your skin if true, they are absolutely shocking allegations. Not 100% sure but I think its because they don't trust the process. Which maybe is a trust thing with everything that's going on but if you want a legitimate outcome you really do need to be involved in the process, whether you trust it or not, otherwise im not sure what is expected as an outcome to all of this.
Mr Right
Roar Rookie
Fully agree ADT. If these allegations are true, to me it doesn't matter what race, religion, socio demographic background or the skin colour of the victims. Heads will roll. A lot of statements have been made on this subject, but does anyone know why the accusers have remained anomynous?
G money
Roar Rookie
Do you believe in innocent until proven guilty RB?
G money
Roar Rookie
Do you believe in innocent until proven guilty OM?
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Spot on summary just missed that most people think this is fine. Sadly some on this page too
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I'd say there's a big difference between what has been said and how it has been heard. Considering what has been reported, I don't believe anyone, even the lowest of the low, would say those things. If something was said as reported and it was meant that way, it's end of career stuff and payout stuff. If something was said but heard differently, mediation to ensure each party hearing each other well is the path. If something was made up and now exposed as made up, it will fade away...unless those who have already made up their minds keep it alive.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
It just means that Jed’s likely not involved in the more serious allegations but it doesn’t mean the complaints don’t have (many) legs as you put it, Don.
theirishman
Roar Rookie
Cue the self righteous white honkies shedding crocodile tears.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
If you can't see the relevance, why bother replying?
O M
Roar Rookie
How would you know and how is that relevant?
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Which could be why there might not be many legs in the complaint.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
My intel is Jed’s partner is not Indigenous so probably not within scope of the review. https://vimbuzz.com/jed-anderson-family-wife-children-kids-parents-siblings/
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Best call.
O M
Roar Rookie
What specifically was I responding to? Do you think they made it all up?
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
How bout the last one When people were calling for due process and natural justice you said "what, I suppose they just made it all up did they?" You were pretty adamant Singing a very different tune now.
O M
Roar Rookie
I couldn’t care less but I reckon “The mysterious complainants? Those who hide in the shadows?” who you slandered might be interested in who you are. You’re too scared to publish your name yet you denigrate them for not having their’s published. That’s just too funny!! :laughing:
O M
Roar Rookie
Sure, go ahead. Which ones are you interested in?
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
Why would I tell you? You're nothing to me, but cool, let me know yours and I'll tell you mine, then you can look me up on Google and check out the cool pics of me riding pro speedway
Brendon the 1st
Roar Rookie
At no stage have I ever said that. Only wowsers jump to conclusions, shall we read a couple of your original statements on the matter?