Brisbane senior coach Chris Fagan has released a statement regarding the ongoing investigation into allegations of racism and wrongdoing during his time at Hawthorn.
Mark Robinson of the Herald Sun published an article on Sunday detailing information regarding the ongoing Hawthorn investigation, highlighting it's likelihood of moving towards the Federal Court, with all parties being urged to partake in mediation.
The article included a list of 18 demands that have reportedly been imposed on the two coaches involved, Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan. These demands include truth-telling, acknowledgement, explanation, apologies, contrition, education, revised practise and policy, compensation fund, media statements, non-disparagement agreement and termination of all legal claims.
In response, Brisbane coach Fagan, who served at Hawthorn at the time of the alleged incidents, released a public statement addressing the information provided by Robinson and separate Herald Sun journalist, Jon Ralph.
It was reported by Ralph on May 1 that Chris Fagan was unwilling to participate in mediation. This claim was rejected by Fagan in his statement on Sunday, who put it simply by saying "this is wrong".
In response to Mark Robinson's article, Fagan disclosed that none of the demands listed had ever been communicated to him or his lawyers and that he would not attend a mediation on the basis of accepting any of the demands.
โAs I have said from the outset, I deny categorically any wrongdoing by me," Fagan said in his statement.
โI expect, however, that other potential participants will also approach a potential mediation in good faith.
โI consider that the making of demands of the kind referred to in the Herald Sun article would be inconsistent with this."
Fagan also spoke on AFL 360 last week regarding the investigation, claiming that while he is bound heavily by confidentiality agreements, he is eager to "progress the process".
โI have long been willing to participate in a fair process concerning the allegations against me but everyone has an equal right to fair treatment", Fagan emphasised in his statement.
โI have been involved in football coaching or other roles within football clubs for approximately 40 years. I am proud of my work and my conduct. I stand behind it.
Alastair Clarkson also made brief comments on the scandal in his post-game press conference after North Melbourne's loss to St Kilda on Sunday.
He believes the lack of progression so far has been "extraordinary" and said he would speak to the "investigation panel" prior to considering mediation.
โI'm open to speaking to the investigation panel first and foremost," Clarkson said.
โUntil such time we get the opportunity to do that, I don't really want to give too much consideration to anything else except the opportunity to speak to the panel and put forward our story.
โWe're now nearing seven-and-a-half or eight months and we still haven't had an opportunity to sit in front of them which is extraordinary, really โ eight months โ so we're looking forward to the day we get that chance.
โUntil such time as we do, we don't know where this is going.โ
