‘Racism is unacceptable’: Hawks issue apology to Cyril and Shannyn Ah Sam-Rioli, as prominent supporter group calls for Jeff Kennett to step down
A prominent Hawthorn supporter group outraged by Jeff Kennett’s treatment of premiership star Cyril Rioli has called for the president to immediately step down.
“Jeff Kennett, through his actions, has again brought the reputation of the Hawthorn Football Club into disrepute.“ “We are sorry that Cyril and Shannyn experienced these incidents during their time at the club. We are saddened these experiences have left them feeling the way they do,” the club statement said.
Sources close to the Hawks’ board insist current directors Hudson, Owen Wilson and Nankivell also have support to win the presidency.the club did not believe there was a need to launch their own Do Better report, i, which sparked major upheaval and ultimately led to president Eddie McGuire’s departure.
The Hawks president then placed his hands in his pockets and offered her, he says as a joke, loose change to buy thread to sew up the jeans. Shannyn believes Rioli’s only AFL coach, Alastair Clarkson, genuinely tried to do the right thing by her husband despite what she described as some uneducated comments over the years. Shannon says there was a long line of racial red flags during their time at Hawthorn.