Coach Alastair Clarkson IV - HFC Racism Investigation Discussion

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Hawthorn, families in stalemate over racism saga reconciliation​

A 21-day extension to engage in reconciliation is nearly at an end, with a stalemate looming over the talks. MARK ROBINSON has the details.

Mark Robinson and Chief Football Writer

2 min read
April 15, 2024 - 5:09PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/...e2655a36d8ffd657e2f065d87e606?amp#share-tools

The racism saga between Hawthorn and former Indigenous players is facing a stalemate.

A 21-day “extension to engage’’ is nearing an end as a stalemate still hovers over conciliation talks in the Hawthorn racism scandal.

It’s believed the major issue is not between the united Indigenous families and former Hawks staff Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt, but rather Hawthorn’s initial willingness to accept a bevy of requests asked by the families.

The amount of compensation – for the families and for the coaches – is also a contentious issue because, a source said, it’s possible that the accused (the coaches) could be paid more than the alleged abused (Indigenous players and partners).

One source said all parties were “miles apart’’ in discussions, but another source was hopeful of resolution.

“It’s every likelihood that it finishes in court,’’ one source said.

Another source said: “It was a positive experience.’’

It is understood the 21-day extension concludes this week.

Among the demands, the players and their families want an apology, an acknowledgment that they suffered pain, hurt and stress when they were at Hawthorn, and that the club would adopt a raft of policies and programs to deal with the past and future issues of racism.

These policies would include a structured truth-telling framework, similar to the one which was put in place by Collingwood as part of their Do Better report.

The Hawks, who were represented at the conciliation talks by president Andrew Gowers, were quiet onlookers, a source said.

Clarkson attended both days and Fagan the first day of the March 26-27 talks, which put them face-to-face with the players for the first time since they were accused of historic racist behaviour 18 months ago. The pair have vehemently denied the claims.

It’s not known if the players are seeking a direct apology from Clarkson and Fagan or if the pair is planning to offer one – but they listened to the “truth-telling’’ exercise.

Clarkson described the dialogue as “productive’’.

“The last two days have represented the first chance that we’ve had to sit down together and do what you should always do in trying to resolve difficult situations, and that’s talk about it,’’ he said in late March.

“That was really productive and a worthwhile two days, but the process is actually incomplete and until such time that it is over, then we’re bound by confidentiality to not discuss anything about the proceedings at all.”

Gowers is optimistic a settlement can be found.

“The phrase ‘mending fences’ is the best description I could give everyone because it’s exactly what we are trying to do with former players and their families, and former coaches and their families,” Gowers told 3AW on Easter Monday.

 

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Can anyone get past the paywall?

There’s a link in the Hawks thread.