• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
AFL club accused of pressuring couple to terminate pregnancy for the sake of player's career

Home> AFL

Updated 06:14 21 Sep 2022 GMT+1Published 05:25 21 Sep 2022 GMT+1

AFL club accused of pressuring couple to terminate pregnancy for the sake of player's career

Other shocking findings allege the club demanded the separation of young Indigenous players from their partners.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

An external review commissioned by Hawthorn Football Club has uncovered shocking allegations about the team.

The review document looked into the club’s past treatment of First Nations players during the era in which premiership-winning coach Alastair Clarkson was at the helm – and the results are damning.

According to a detailed report published by the ABC's Russell Jackson, the serious accusations against the club include the alleged desire from Hawthorn to seperate First Nations players from their homes and partners, apparently going as far as removing players' SIM cards in their phones.

Advert

Wikimedia Creative Commons

On top of that, it's alleged that club officials also used intimidation and bullying tactics on couples during the early stages of a pregnancy, one player even coming forward to claim that he was urged to tell his partner to terminate her pregnancy for the sake of his playing career.

“It was so intimidating, confusing and upsetting,” the player, known simply as 'Ian' as he wished to remain anonymous, said.

“Clarkson just leaned over me and demanded that I needed to get rid of my unborn child and my partner. I was then manipulated and convinced to remove my SIM card from my phone, so there was no further contact between my family and me. They told me I’d be living with one of the other coaches from that night onwards.”

Advert

He added: "He told me to kill my unborn kid."

Alastair Clarkson.
Wikimedia Creative Commons

Ian and his partner 'Amy' had actually lost their first child through miscarriage, so the couple was buzzing when she reached the 12-week mark of her pregnancy – so much so that they felt comfortable sharing the news.

But when Ian phoned Amy to tell her about his conversation with the Hawthorn coaching staff, she admitted she went 'numb'.

Advert

"I just remember that he could barely get the words out and he seemed to be crying, and he quickly said that we needed to terminate the pregnancy and end the relationship," Amy said.

"Just like that. I will never forget that phone call or the heartbreak I felt in that moment. I was frozen on the spot, completely numb from what I had just heard Ian say. I had no idea what was happening.

"A few hours earlier we'd been having this incredibly special moment and Ian was so excited to let the club know we were having a baby. Then it was like my whole life just fell apart in a few minutes. It made no sense."

These findings are truly shocking and it's understood the report has now been handed to the AFL Integrity Unit who have subsequently launched an investigation.

There were two key recurring names throughout the report.

Advert

Former coach Alastair Clarkson, who helped guide the Hawks to four premierships, and Chris Fagan who is the current head coach of the Brisbane Lions.

The Lions have since announced that Fagan will be taking a 'leave of absence' in the wake of this news.

Speaking at a press conference, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said "both sides need to be heard" but insisted that "it's hard to find more serious allegations".

"I think we need to get to the bottom of this. We need the findings of the panel, and then, the commission will make a decision," McLachlan said.

Advert

"It's hard to find more serious allegations.

"But we have a series of allegations. I think everyone would feel it is appropriate and fair that the accused have the right forum to respond. I think this has to be accepted and understood.

"This is incredibly serious. We are shaping the response to that.

"We'll have a process that supports those who have got the courage to step forward and then obviously puts those allegations to the accused and that will play out in a shorter period of time as appropriate without undermining in any way the investigation.

"And at the same time, we need, we've got a broader game that will go on.

"I don't think that in any way diminishes the scale of the story that's broken today and the hurt and the pain, and it will be contextual in everything we do.

"We'll play a Grand Final on Saturday. But in the parallel there's something incredibly big for the individuals, definitely, and beyond that, going on."

Tanya Hosch was also present at the press conference.

"It's hard to find the words to describe how you feel when you read something like this, honestly," she said.

Featured Image Credit: Wikimedia Creative Commons

Topics: Australia, Australia Afl, Aussie Rules Football

Max Sherry
Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

X

@maxysherry

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

8 months ago
9 months ago
  • 8 months ago

    The ball went missing right before the 2024 Toyota AFL Grand Final — here's what happened

    Luckily, AAMI was there to save the day.

    Australia
  • 8 months ago

    Sydney Swans captain left devastated after being ruled out of AFL grand final

    Heartbreaking news for the skipper.

    Australia
  • 8 months ago

    Brownlow race heats up ahead of AFL’s night of nights

    Who takes home the AFL’s top honour?

    Australia
  • 9 months ago

    Star Geelong duo officially scratched from Qualifying Final against Brisbane

    Look away, Geelong fans.

    Australia
  • AFL player's disgusting sledge that left rival star in tears has been revealed
  • Journalist Cops An Elbow To The Face From Ex-AFL Agent After Chasing Him Down The Street
  • AFL Star Suffers Horrific Leg Injury That Leaves Commentators Screaming For A Stretcher
  • AFL Legend Rex Hunt Brandishes Pitchfork In Aggressive Road Rage Incident