Woman who accused Hawks coaches of forcing her to abort baby won’t give evidence at AFL probe
Indigenous woman who accused Hawks coaches Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan of trying to force her to abort her baby reveals why she WON’T cooperate with AFL investigation – as Tony Armstrong backs her to the hilt
- Alleged victim into Hawks racism probe won’t provide evidence to the AFL
- Woman has accused former coaches of encouraging her to have an abortion
- Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt vehemently deny the allegations
- Lawyers for alleged victim accused AFL of using own lawyers in the investigation
- AFL want matter concluded by Christmas, coaches all hope to clear their names
The Indigenous woman who accused former Hawthorn coaches Alastair Clarkson and Chris Fagan of pushing her to have an abortion won’t participate in the AFL’s independent investigation into historical claims of racism at the club.
Given the pseudonym ‘Amy’ to protect her identity, the Gunditjmara and Bunitj woman was identified as the alleged victim in a statement by Marque Lawyers.
The statement claims she was treated ‘appallingly’ by the Hawthorn Football Club when news of her pregnancy emerged.
The woman has described the ongoing AFL investigation as ‘unsafe’ and stressed that she won’t consent to silencing tactics, the Herald Sun reported.
‘It’s a little hard to speak up when it feels like your voice box has been pulled out of your throat,’ ‘Amy’ said in the statement.
‘I could either stay numb and silent, or I could find my voice and play my part in the struggle to try and create safety and protection for our young ones who would inevitably face these systems.’
The Indigenous woman who accused former Hawthorn coaches Alastair Clarkson (pictured) and Chris Fagan of pushing her to have an abortion won’t participate in the AFL’s independent investigation into historical claims of racism at the club
Clarkson, Fagan (pictured) and former Hawthorn official Jason Burt – all named in the claims made in the Hawthorn cultural safety report in September – have vehemently denied all allegations
The explosive statement labels the AFL as ‘disingenuous’ and also claims declarations the process will be independent is ‘a lie’.
Clarkson, Fagan and former Hawks official Jason Burt – all named in the claims made in the Hawthorn cultural safety report in September – have vehemently denied all allegations.
This week Clarkson formally began his new role as head coach of North Melbourne, while Fagan returned to work at the helm of the Brisbane Lions.
The Marque Laywers statement, released on Wednesday, went onto accuse the AFL’s handpicked lawyers of assisting the investigation panel.
‘While we cast no aspersions on the nominated investigation panel members, the entire process will be conducted under the control of the AFL and for the AFL’s purposes,’ the statement read.
‘If the AFL is genuinely concerned to unearth and expose the full depth of racist mistreatment of First Nations players and their families by one or more of its clubs, then it should engage an external body with appropriate expertise, operating completely independently of the AFL, to conduct a wide-ranging inquiry into the systemic racist abuses that the revelations regarding Hawthorn have exposed.
‘Instead, the AFL’s own lawyers are assisting the investigation panel and corresponding with parties on its behalf.
TV identity Tony Armstrong has weighed into the AFL racism investigation, expressing his sympathy for the alleged victim
Armstrong took to Twitter on Wednesday to praise the strength of the alleged victim
‘A lawyer was also appointed to represent the players and families, without being asked what they wanted or any consideration of the diversity of their interests.
‘The investigation report will be the property of the AFL, which will decide when and how it is released.
‘It continues the pattern of abuse it is supposedly addressing.’
Marque Lawyers also refuted the statement from AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan that the matter was ‘brought to the AFL by Hawthorn – at the request of the families’.
TV identity Tony Armstrong has weighed into the investigation, expressing his sympathy for ‘Amy’.
He praised her strength in a tweet on Wednesday, before labelling the matter ‘another day in the colony.’
Meanwhile, Clarkson – who started his first day as North Melbourne coach on Wednesday – told reporters he is looking forward to clearing his name.
‘It has been a tough four or five weeks for all of us, and what we do know is that we always had the care of our players right at the highest priority of our football club,’ he said.
‘There is a lot more depth and history to what has transpired, but we will get a chance in the investigation to outline that.’
Clarkson stressed the allegations remain unfounded, with the AFL said to be hopeful the matter will be concluded by Christmas.
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