Key figures at Hawthorn, including former coach Alastair Clarkson and assistant coach Chris Fagan, are responsible for the mistreatment of Indigenous and First Nations footballers – according to a report by ABC Sport's Russell Jackson.
The report delves into an external review commissioned by the club, which alleges the club pressured a player and his partner to terminate a pregnancy for the sake of their career.
Other players allege that they were convinced to remove SIM cards from their phones to distance themselves from their partners.
Names have been changed in the report to protect the identities of the players and their partners.
You can read the ABC’s full story here.
The Hawthorn Football Club released a statement to the ABC saying the following:
"Earlier this year the Hawthorn Football Club engaged external First Nations consultants to liaise with current and former First Nations players and staff to learn more about their experience at the club," the statement began.
"This important work has raised disturbing historical allegations that require further investigation. Upon learning of these allegations, the club immediately engaged AFL Integrity as is appropriate.
"The club will continue to provide support to those who have participated in this process, and their wellbeing remains our priority.
"While the process indicated the current environment at the club is culturally safe, it also recommended that some of the club's current First Nations training and development programs should continue to be strengthened.
"The club places the best interests and welfare of our players and staff as our number one priority.
"Given the matters raised are confidential, the club will not provide any further comment at this time."
The broadcaster also reached out to the AFL for comment:
"The AFL is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and culturally appropriate environment for all players and staff throughout the industry, ensuring that physical, mental and emotional welfare is a key priority for all in our sport.
"The AFL takes extremely seriously all matters where people report experiencing harm, discrimination or mistreatment in our industry. We recently received a document from the Hawthorn Football Club outlining very serious allegations gathered during the recently completed review by an external consultant who interviewed current and former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players.
"The experiences outlined in the document are extremely serious and require further and full examination.
"The AFL is finalising a process to investigate the allegations and has sought further details of those who shared their experiences in order to progress its investigation.
"The AFL is committed to ensuring all who shared their experiences are fully supported through this process. The AFL will liaise with the parties to ensure appropriate support and cultural safety are in place in accordance with the wishes of those involved.
"We are committed to the welfare of all involved. Once we have spoken to those who have shared their experiences, we will be able to provide an update on the next steps in the investigation."