A group of Indigenous families has called for the AFL to admit to its own failings before they take part in an investigation into explosive allegations of racism at Hawthorn.
Key points:
- Hawthorn Football Club has been accused of racist incidents involving young First Nations players
- The allegations focus on a period between 2008 and 2016
- A woman at the centre of the claims has said the AFL’s proposed investigation was not culturally safe
On Friday, in a joint open letter directed to the AFL Commission and league boss Gillon McLachlan, the families wrote they want to “tell our truths” in a “culturally safe environment”.
According to the group, the AFL should take a “good look” at how it has handled racism previously.
“We have decided to participate in the AFL Independent Investigation on the basis that the AFL is also committed to independently look at its own failings, and promises to all First Nations families it will do better as a result,” the letter read.
“We do want to tell our truths to a panel of independent investigators in a culturally safe environment.
“But the issue of racism in the AFL cannot be dealt with by a narrowly targeted investigation on a club-by-club, or crisis-by-crisis, basis.
“We want the AFL to take a good hard look at itself and how it has dealt with racism in the past.
“Not because we want to trawl over 100 years of neglect, or conduct a witch-hunt or to bring legal claims, but because we want the AFL to be a safer place for our children.”
On Wednesday, a woman at the centre of the racism claims at Hawthorn — which focus on a period between 2008 and 2016 — released a statement via her lawyers saying she would not take part in the investigation.
The woman — only known as ‘Amy’ (not her real name) — said the independent investigation commissioned by the AFL was culturally unsafe.
On behalf of Amy, the statement from Marque Lawyers alleged she was the victim of “appalling mistreatment” by Hawthorn.
Amy’s statement came on the same day new North Melbourne coach Alastair Clarkson vowed to strongly defend himself against all allegations directed at him dating from his time at Hawthorn.
Clarkson officially started his new job as Kangaroos AFL coach on Wednesday after signing a five-year contract in late August.
Former Hawthorn football manager Chris Fagan has recently returned to his job as senior coach of the Brisbane Lions after standing down when the allegations surfaced via an ABC report in September. Both men deny the allegations.
AAP
Source: AFL NEWS ABC
