New AFL boss won’t interfere with racism investigation

Shayne Hope and Anna Harrington | May 2, 2023

AFL chief executive-elect Andrew Dillon says he has no intention of trying to fast-track or interfere with the inquiry into allegations of historic racism at Hawthorn.

There is no end in sight to the investigation into an issue which has cast a shadow over the league since the allegations emerged in September last year.

“We’ve got an independent process in place and that’s playing out at the moment,” Dillon told reporters on Monday.

“It’s a complex issue and I feel for everyone who’s involved in it.

“What we’re going to do is work to get the best and the right outcome but it’s an independent process and we have to respect that.”

The racism allegations involve former Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson and his then-assistant Chris Fagan.

Clarkson and Fagan, now coaching North Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions respectively, have vehemently denied wrongdoing in their time at the Hawks.

Dillon, the AFL’s legal counsel who will officially take over from Gillon McLachlan as chief executive in October, conceded the matter is unlikely to be resolved any time soon.

“Everyone would like things resolved sooner than they can but … you’ve got to get to the right outcome,” Dillon said.

“Often in these things it’s all about getting the process right.

“What we’re not going to do is cut any corners or fast-track the process.

“We’re going to get to the right outcome and we’ll get it in the right time.”

Later on Monday, Fagan said he was aware of a News Corp report that said he and Clarkson had rejected a mediation process.

The Lions coach didn’t go into details, citing a confidentiality agreement he had signed. 

“I’m really keen for this, for us to progress the process, but I do want to make sure that whatever we’re involved in is fair and just to all parties,” Fagan told Fox Footy’s AFL 360.

“But I’ve had no discussion with my lawyers in the last week or so about mediation processes and whether or not we’ll be in them. I just have to leave it at that, that’s about all I can say.”