Brisbane manager Chris Fagan breaks silence on Hawthorn racism scandal engulfing AFL: ‘Can’t live like this’

Chris Fagan has had no need to address the racism allegations against his Brisbane players since returning from voluntary leave and insists he has a “clear conscience” and the team’s trust.

The Lions AFL manager has denied any wrongdoing in relation to the troubling allegations at Hawthorn, where he was Alastair Clarkson’s assistant and served as boss of football.

Watch the video above: Hawthorn’s racism scandal is expected to drag on.

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Both coaches will cooperate with an independent investigation into allegations, including a request to separate young Indigenous players from their partners and pressure to end a pregnancy for the benefit of a player’s career.

The entire Lions roster returned to practice Monday, with Fagan addressing the allegations publicly for the first time since they were reported in September.

“Probably the first few weeks (I was struggling) not really knowing if it’s okay to walk down the street or not,” he said at a news conference.

“But after a while I realized that we can’t live like this. So I’ve been living normally ever since.

“I have a very clear conscience. They say a clear conscience is the best sedative and I sleep well.”

Fagan said he never considered stepping down during his voluntary resignation period and that he signed a confidentiality agreement last Friday ahead of the investigation, which is yet to begin.

He said there was no need to speak to his players about it, despite the shocking nature of the claims.

“I’ve been working with them for six years. And they trust me, they trust me. So there was no need for a conversation,” he said.

“I know everyone is genuinely interested in my thoughts on this, and I respect that, but you also have to respect the fact that it will remain private until … the investigation is complete.”

When that will be, however, is written in the stars.

“We all thought it would be over by Christmas time, but it’s going to be longer than that,” Fagan said.

“I’m just patiently awaiting my opportunity to speak at the inquest.

“You want it to happen sooner rather than later. But I have to be patient.

“We’ll just wait and see what the investigation reveals.”