Coach stands down after Hawthorn player claims
Brisbane and former Hawthorn assistant coach Chris Fagan has taken leave after the AFL ordered an inquiry into allegations from a former Hawks player, including that coach Alastair Clarkson asked him to terminate his partner’s pregnancy.
Clarkson – newly appointed as North Melbourne coach – and his then senior assistant Fagan will be afforded “natural justice” by an independent panel examining the racism claims, the AFL says.
Fagan has taken leave from the Lions after he and Clarkson were named in an ABC report detailing historic racism allegations from some Hawthorn players.
“Chris supports and welcomes the investigation,” Brisbane said in a statement.
“He was not consulted during the Hawthorn sponsored review and looks forward to the opportunity to be heard as part of the AFL investigation.
“The Brisbane Lions and Chris have mutually agreed that he will take a leave of absence from the club so he can fully cooperate in the investigation.”
One former Hawthorn player alleged he was told by Clarkson to terminate his partner’s pregnancy, the ABC reported.
The player said a group of coaches including Clarkson and his then senior assistant coach Fagan also urged him to break up with his partner and move into the home of an assistant coach, the ABC said.
Clarkson was the Hawks’ coach between 2005 and 2021 and Fagan was a senior assistant coach and general manager of football at the club from 2008-16 before being appointed the Lions’ coach in 2017.
