Former Hawks manager Jason Burt finally responds to racism allegations – ‘I have nothing to say sorry’ as damaging saga looks likely to end
- Jason Burt denies instances of racism at Hawthorn
- Was previously responsible for player development at the club
- Said in an interview that he had ‘nothing to say sorry’
- Saga set to end soon, Hawks coaches won’t apologize
- Burt, Chris Fagan and Alastair Clarkson refute all allegations
Former Hawthorn head of player development Jason Burt has said he has ‘nothing to say sorry’ as the damaging racist saga that has engulfed the club since September last year appears to be touching its END.
Burt – along with Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan – have vehemently denied any historical wrongdoing with First Nations players at the Hawks.
However, Burt admitted that some of his alleged conduct could have been deemed “uncomfortable” and intimidating, but not racist.
He also accused the AFL of being more concerned with protecting its “brand”.
This follows explosive allegations in a review of the club last year by Aboriginal consultant Phil Egan that Hawthorn’s coaching staff “bullied some players and also demanded the separation of young First Nations players from their partners, and pressured a couple to end a pregnancy for the sake of the player’s career.
Former Hawthorn head of player development Jason Burt said he had ‘nothing to say sorry’ about the racist saga that has engulfed the club since last September.
Burt – along with Alastair Clarkson (pictured) and Chris Fagan – vehemently denied any wrongdoing with First Nations players at the Hawks
The trio have also been accused of running the football department ‘like the Russian mafia’.
“My overwhelming emotion is sadness,” Burt said Age.
‘I love Hawthorn. Do again. It’s crazy. I always support them. It was a big club. I feel sad that I can’t set foot in this place again, for any of the meetings, for any of the celebrations that we might have. It hurts.
Burt added that he “will never truly understand what an Indigenous, First Nations person feels,” but insisted that “those involved in this investigation – and the families, especially the players – left better people, better men, to be at Hawthorn.’
In terms of an apology, it won’t come from Burt, who said “I have nothing to say sorry.”
Burt’s fighting words come as lawyers for the First Nations families at the center of the racism scandal have recommended a settlement to the AFL which, if accepted, could end the sad saga.
A generic apology may follow – but nothing will come directly from Burt, Fagan or Clarkson.
On Friday, AFL CEO Gill McLachlan said: “There are a lot of people working very hard to try and get a resolution here, that’s all I can say.”
The racism saga began behind the scenes in April last year, when retired Hawthorn great Cyril Rioli and his wife Shannyn detailed allegations of racism at the club.
This week, Fagan – now head coach of the Brisbane Lions – said he remained determined to speak out and “speak his truth”.
Fagan has also remained silent, but is keen to offer his version of events stemming from his time with the Hawks.
Clarkson recently stepped down as North Melbourne coach indefinitely, citing exam stress.
He also questioned the credibility of the investigation.
But before quitting at Arden St, he had a starting shot at his former club Hawthorn, where he won four AFL Premierships.
“There’s one part in particular that was the catalyst for all of this, that hasn’t been investigated,” he said.
“Their governance and conduct in this whole matter, the Hawthorn Football Club, [has been] just shameful.
