Brisbane Lions coach Chris Fagan had declared he’s harmless of “racism” and “cultural insensitivity” forward of potential mediation to take care of allegations of mistreatment of First Nations gamers throughout his time at Hawthorn.
Fagan’s feedback on Thursday got here lower than two hours earlier than former Hawks coach Alastair Clarkson, who was accused of the identical racism claims, took depart from his job as North Melbourne coach to “focus on his physical and emotional wellbeing”.
“Everyone involved has been deeply affected by the Hawthorn investigation and the burden on Alastair has been significant,” North Melbourne president Sonja Hood mentioned.
Clarkson’s determination to step away from his Kangaroos got here within the wake of a report on Channel 9 on Wednesday evening that there was a “strong intent” for mediation to happen as early as subsequent week involving Fagan, Clarkson and the households of gamers who accused the pair of racism on the Hawks.
It was additionally reported that the time period “cultural insensitivity” could possibly be used as a “concession” by Fagan and Clarkson within the seek for a “meeting ground” throughout mediation,
However. Fagan appears unlikely to comply with such a concession.
“I know I’m not guilty of racism or cultural insensitivity,” the Lions coach mentioned forward of he AFL’s Sir Doug Nicholls Round, which recognises and celebrates the game’s Indigenous gamers.
Fagan additionally mentioned he had not agreed to mediation and was unaware of it being mooted to happen subsequent week.
“Maybe I’ll hear something today,” he mentioned.
Fagan final week mentioned he felt “slandered” by the dealing with of the unbiased investigation into allegations of racism on the Hawks.
“This investigation’s been going on for eight months, and we haven’t had a chance to tell our truth, but every week we have to put up with articles being written about it,” he mentioned.
Fagan continues to place the off-field allegations to at least one facet in his pursuit of a premiership with the Lions, who’re aiming for a seventh successive win once they host the Gold Coast Suns in Saturday evening’s QClash on the Gabba.
The Lions are additionally chasing an eight consecutive victory over the Suns, who haven’t overwhelmed Brisbane since 2018.
“Our motivation is to keep our winning streak going,” Fagan mentioned.
“We feel like we’ve been in some good form. It’s another opportunity.
“If you look at some of the other fixtures this weekend, if we can do well, it helps us advance up the ladder and stay in the top four.”
“I wouldn’t have thought that our motivation is any less than (that of the Suns). We want to win every time we play.”
Originally printed as Lions coach Chris Fagan reaffirms his innocence within the Hawthorn racism scandal as co-accused Alastair Clarkson takes depart
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
