Major development in footy racism scandal as coaches set for grilling in front of their accusers

Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan will come face to face with their accusers after the football managers were called to meet the Human Rights Commission over the Hawthorn racism scandal.

According to 7NEWS, the Human Rights Commission has become involved in the scandal that rocked the AFL when it first emerged in 2022.

Clarkson and Fagan, then coach and assistant coach at Hawthorn Football Club respectively, have been accused of racism towards former Hawks players. The couple denies the accusations against them.

The duo, along with former assistant Jason Burt, will have a “conciliation” process at the Commission on March 26 and 27.

The conciliation is a process similar to mediation and will see the trio face their accusers, including AFL great Cyril Rioli.

The meeting will take place just days before Clarkson and Fagan oversee the monster Easter weekend games. Clarkson now coaches North Melbourne, while Fagan is in charge of the Brisbane Lions.

Fagan will coach the Lions in their grand final rematch against Collingwood on March 28, while Clarkson’s Kangaroos take on Carlton on Good Friday.

Despite the impact on match preparation, Seven adds that both coaches believe their involvement in the conciliation shows a clear sign of commitment to the process.

Last May, the AFL closed its investigation into the coaches, finding there were “no irregularities.”

There are hopes that the saga will end with the Commission, rather than becoming the legal system.

Clarkson and Fagan have strongly denied the claims. Last May, Clarkson took a break from the sport for mental health reasons as a result of the case.

“The game has been embarrassed, obviously me, ‘Fages’ and Jason, our families have been embarrassed. Indigenous and First Nations families have been embarrassed,” Clarkson said last year.

“The damage has already been done, the reputations have been scarred and somehow we have to recover them through this whole process.”