Major development in AFL response to Hawthorn scandal

The AFL has announced a timeline for their investigation into allegations of racism at the Hawthorn Football Club, with findings expected to be handed down in December.

The league will spend the next month investigating the allegations levelled at senior Hawthorn staff, including former coach Alastair Clarkson and former football manager Chris Fagan.

'ABYSMAL': Caroline Wilson sticks boot in over 'terrible' St Kilda situation

'PRETTY BLUNT': Premier sparks state feud in Magic Round swipe

The duo now coach North Melbourne and Brisbane respectively, with Clarkson delaying his official start date at the Kangaroos as a result of the allegations being made public.

The terms of reference for the investigation, which will be lead by senior lawyer Bernard Quinn KC, were released by the AFL on Thursday.

If the investigation finds anyone should be subject to a discipline process, that would be a separate process under AFL rules.

Initial statements to the investigations will begin from November 4, however AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan is still unsure as to whether all parties involved in Hawthorn's internal investigation will participate in the subsequent AFL probe.

"There are no guarantees," McLachlan told reporters on Thursday.

"We're obviously encouraging the complainants to tell their story.

"We believe it's an independent, culturally diverse panel.

"The terms of reference are transparent, the process we believe gives cultural safety and we're here at the behest of the families.

"So we are encouraging them to (participate) but ultimately that will be a decision for the complainants."

The inquiry was commissioned after bombshell allegations of racism and other inappropriate behaviour at Hawthorn between 2008-16.

McLachlan said the Clarkson and Fagan will return to work "when the time is right" but no date has been set.

"We're anticipating they'll come back to work and they've actually respected the seriousness of these allegations by going on leave," McLachlan said, adding that their long-term futures were a matter for their clubs.

AFL announced Hawthorn investigation details as Kangaroos left in limbo

The announcement of the investigations terms of reference come as North Melbourne boss Dr Sonja Hood said the allegations had cast a shadow over what was hoped to be a time of revitalisation for the Kangaroos.

The Kangaroos believe Clarkson is still a chance to begin work as scheduled on November 1 as an independent panel investigates historic racism claims at his former club Hawthorn.

In a letter to North Melbourne members, Hood says the club is "taking an active role" in talks with the AFL about Clarkson's start date.

"Although we can't comment on the allegations or the AFL's process, it's important to note that the way events have unfolded over the past fortnight has created damage for our club and our people - our players (Indigenous and non-Indigenous), our staff, our members, and of course Alastair himself," Hood wrote.

"Regardless of our next course of action, the club's number one priority is to look after our people and we will continue to do that.

"The board is immensely grateful to our player leaders and the club's executive team for the leadership role they have all played over a very difficult period for our club.

"We didn't create this problem but it's now ours to deal with and the unity and care in our response is a testament to our people."

North appointed Clarkson on a five-year deal before historic racism claims were aired by the ABC last month.

Clarkson and Fagan, who has taken leave from his role as Brisbane Lions coach, deny any wrongdoing.

Clarkson has flown to Scotland with Collingwood assistant coach Brendon Bolton to spend time with soccer giant Celtic's Australian manager Ange Postecoglou.

"I'll be going to do a professional development trip overseas and I'm just relying on the AFL to let us know what's going on with the investigation," Clarkson told the Seven Network.

"We've said all along ... we're ready to defend ourselves at the earliest opportunity."

With AAP

Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.