Sports

Author: anonymDate: 2024-11-21 11:59:15

Hawthorn Football Club resolves legal dispute with First Nations athletes and their relatives

The club has settled its federal court case with past First Nations players and their families.

The Hawthorn Football Club has concluded its federal court action with past First Nations players and their families. Former champion player Cyril Rioli was among those who claimed to have endured a prejudiced environment during their time with the club. In a mutual agreement, Hawthorn expressed regret for the ongoing pain and anguish experienced by the players. It acknowledges the allegations were made sincerely and reflect the players' experiences. Accusations of racism against the club and former coach Alastair Clarkson, his former assistant Chris Fagan, and former welfare manager Jason Burt, were initially publicized in September 2022.

Clarkson, Fagan, and Burt have consistently denied any misconduct, while an AFL inquiry yielded no negative findings against them in May of the previous year. The settlement statement read: "No individual should endure hardship in pursuing a football career." "This has offered valuable insights for the Club and significantly aided the Club in enhancing its procedures, training, and support for every First Nations player and their support network." The case was settled without judicial determination of the parties' claims.

AFL champion Cyril Rioli spearheaded a claim filed in the Federal Court in July, joined by his wife Shannyn Ah Sam-Rioli, former players Carl Peterson and Jermaine Miller-Lewis, his partner Montanah-Rae Lewis, and former Hawthorn Indigenous liaison officer, Leon Egan. In an open letter preceding the formal claim, the former Hawthorn players detailed their intentions. "If they remain unresponsive and unwilling to learn, this will conclude in the Federal Court, where we will share our accounts under oath," the players stated. The claim involved allegations of unlawful bias, including family separations.

However, the most serious allegation involved the club's supposed intimidation tactics to separate couples in the early stages of pregnancy and parenthood. This encompassed the alleged demand that one player compel his partner to terminate a pregnancy—actions the families claim caused multi-generational trauma. Following two days of mediation this week, the club and players have reached an agreement acknowledging the resolution of the matter.

The statement also proclaimed: "Hawthorn remains dedicated to fostering a secure atmosphere for First Nations people and the eradication of all forms of racial discrimination. "The club expresses gratitude to the former players, their partners, and families for their bravery in offering this guidance."