Hawthorn racism claims are "harrowing" and the AFL must ensure First Nations players are welcome in a safe environment, AFL commission chairman Richard Goyder says.
Goyder says the AFL will ensure a just outcome from an independent panel to examine the allegations.
Four-time Hawthorn premiership coach Alastair Clarkson and his then-assistant Chris Fagan and ex-Hawthorn welfare manager Jason Burt were named on Wednesday in an ABC report detailing historic racism allegations from some Indigenous Hawthorn players.
Clarkson, who has postponed starting his new role as North Melbourne coach, and Fagan, who has taken leave from the Lions, have denied any wrongdoing.
One former player alleged he was told by Clarkson, who was Hawthorn coach from 2002 to 2021, to terminate his partner's pregnancy, the ABC reported.
The AFL will establish a four-person panel to probe the allegations and have appointed former Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon as their legal representative.
Goyder described the allegations as "harrowing" during a speech at North Melbourne's grand final breakfast on Saturday morning.
He acknowledged the courage of those that had come forward with their experiences.
"The AFL commission acknowledges your hurt and our commitment is to provide whatever care we can by ensuring that the work of the panel appointed to investigate provides the justest outcome for all parties concerned," Goyder said.
"One of the strongest elements of football is that the footy family comes together so strongly and effectively when any of us face major challenges and/or are confronted by tragedy.
"It's critical that the best of the footy family come together this time, together, to address the moment and improve every part of our game.
"We must ensure that everyone is truly welcome and truly safe in our game. That is non-negotiable.
"That is our commitment to those in our game and those who love our game."
AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has signalled he could postpone his planned departure from the CEO role while the investigation is performed, telling the breakfast the issue "has to be sorted".
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who attended the North Melbourne breakfast, said the investigation needed to be unambiguous.
"I do want to acknowledge that this has been a difficult week for the AFL," Albanese told the function.
"We know that discrimination has no part in our game, just as discrimination has no part in our country.
"And I know that the AFL and everyone that loves footy will be doing their best to deal with these issues, openly and transparently, as must occur."
