Hawthorn champion Cyril Rioli and his wife Shannyn Ahsam-Rioli are taking charge in the racism investigation scandal, penning a bombshell open letter as the families involved take their case to the Human Rights Commission.

In their first public statement, the Rioli’s are joined by former Hawks Carl Peterson and Jermaine Miller-Lewis, along with Jermaine’s wife Montanah and the club’s former indigenous manager Leon Egan, in describing the investigation as a “public sh*tshow” – and one they promise will end in the Federal Court if their complaints are not heard.

The families wanted to correct misunderstandings circulating about the racism investigation, stating they never asked for money – rather they just wanted a “sit with the coaches and

“We are some of the Indigenous families who endured racism at the Hawthorn Football Club,” the joint open letter read.  “We were separated from our families.  “We were told an unborn child would ruin our futures.