The details of the allegations of racism against Hawthorn have been published by the Federal Court today after citing significant public interest in the case.
Cyril Rioli is the lead applicant alongside his wife Shannyn Ah Sam-Rioli, former players Carl Peterson and Jermaine Miller-Lewis, his partner Montanah-Rae Lewis, and Hawthorn's former Indigenous liaison officer Leon Egan.
Their details a number of alleged incidents of racism and other misconduct that Rioli and his co-applicants experienced at the hands of Hawthorn, and because of this they suffered "psychological harm", "distress", and "personal harm".
Rioli and co are seeking for the matters to be addresses following a breakdown in mediation with the club and the Human Rights Commission, and have lodged for damages in the Federal Court.
Allegations of serious discrimination and harmful conduct
A number of counts of misconduct are detailed within the statement of claim, and allege infringements of rights, personal and family control, culturally harmful and domineering conduct, amongst other alleged misconduct.
The statement of claim includes names of coaching staff and non-Indigenous players who allegedly perpetrated the misconduct, which include multiple instances of racist remarks, those of which we won't publish.
A particular incident detailed in the claim refers to former coach, Alastair Clarkson (now head coach at North Melbourne Football Club), attending a meeting of the players listed in the claim at the home of the then First Nations Liason officer, Leon Egan, uninvited.
Former Hawthorn head coach, Alastair Clarkson, is named in the claim Credit: Ryan Pierse/AFL Photos/via Getty Images
They were also there to talk about boycotting Hawthorns next game because of this.
The claim alleges that Clarkson "invited himself to the meeting at Mr Egan’s home, imposed himself on, and derailed, the meeting, by bringing his guitar and singing a song about Mr Rioli" and "discouraged the players from going through with the boycott."
Hawthorn allegeded failure
The statement of claim says that for the allegations put forward but Rioli and co, Hawthorn failed to protect them against the harm or adverse effects of racially discriminatory speech.
And that they failed take adequate steps to prevent, and/or to adequately respond to, harm or adverse effects of such speech or other conduct.
Hawthorn commissioned a cultural safety review in 2022 to investigate allegations of systemic mistreatment of First Nations players at the club.
The findings were made public in a media report published during AFL grand final week that year.
An AFL investigation later produced no adverse findings against Clarkson, Fagan and Burt.
Clarkson, Brisbane coach Fagan and Burt have consistently denied wrongdoing and rejected accusations of racism.
Hawthorn says they will work towards a resolution in a fair and timely manner for all parties.
"The Federal Court process will importantly give Hawthorn Football Club the opportunity to respond to these allegations," club president Andy Gowers said.
