Twist in racism scandal as Clarkson to face Hawks

In an explosive twist to the Hawthorn racism allegations scandal, former Hawks senior coach Alastair Clarkson and ex assistant Chris Fagan will come face-to-face with players involved in the saga.

In June last year, former four-time Hawthorn premiership forward Cyril Rioli, alongside his wife Shannyn Ahsam-Rioli, ex-Hawthorn players Carl Peterson and Jermaine Miller-Lewis, as well as the latter’s wife Montanah Miller-Lewis, and former Hawks staffer Leon Egan removed their cloaks of anonymity as they released a blistering statement summarising their allegations against the club.

It came just days after the AFL closed its investigation into allegations of racism against Clarkson, Fagan and Jason Burt, with the governing body announcing no adverse findings.

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Now, the Human Rights Commission has set official dates for Clarkson, Fagan and their ex-welfare manager Burt to face Rioli and others who are accusing them of racism during their time at the club, according to Seven.

They’ll be summoned to a conciliation meeting on March 26 and 27 at the Human Rights Commission.

Fagn, who now coaches the Brisbane Lions and Clarkson (now North Melbourne coach), will be facing Rioli and others involved in the middle of their AFL seasons.

The letter penned from the alleged victims in June 2023 stated that they are ready to take Clarkson, Fagan and Burt to the Commission to ensure they feel their grievances are properly heard.

“They have made their choice, and we will now bring them to a Human Rights Commission conciliation to listen to the truths that they don’t want to hear,” the statement from Rioli and some former teammates read.

Former Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson.

And if they still won’t listen and learn then it will end up in the federal court where we will tell our truths in the witness box. But they will hear us one way or another.

“We also believe that with the passing of time that the Hawthorn Football Club will acknowledge that our suffering and pain was real.”

Clarkson, Fagan and ex-welfare manager Burt have always denied the allegations.