Hawthorn and the former players and their partners who alleged historical experiences of racial discrimination against the club have settled "without determination of any parties' allegations", and an apology from the club.

More than two years on from the allegations surfacing, the club and Cyril Rioli, Shannyn Ah Sam-Rioli, Jermaine Miller-Lewis, Montana-Rae Lewis, Carl Peterson and Leon Egan released a joint-statement confirming an agreement was met to settle the Federal Court proceeding.

According to reports, the settlement was met following two days of meditation.

Hawthorn issued an apology to the former players, their partners and their families.

"Hawthorn accepts that the allegations were made in good faith, and has heard, respects, and accepts that they represent their truths," the statement reads.

"Hawthorn is sorry and apologises that the former players, partners, and their families, in either pursuing a football career, or in supporting such a person, experienced ongoing hurt and distress in their time at the Club."

The statement said the club has learned from the experiences expressed by "the former players, partners, and their families and all people involved with the club", and pointed to a range of steps they had made "as a direct result of the allegations raised".

"Hawthorn remains committed to providing a safe environment for First Nations peoples and the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination," the club said.

"No person should suffer to pursue a career in football. By the former players, partners, and their families sharing their truths and raising their allegations, this has provided valuable learnings for the Club and has greatly assisted the Club in improving its processes, education and the care it provides to each First Nations player and their support persons. The Club thanks the former players, partners, and their families for their courage in providing this guidance.

"The fact the former players, partners and their families feel the way they do about their time at Hawthorn will continue to guide how the Club interacts with and supports First Nations peoples moving forward."

Hawthorn said they are committed to ongoing work with the players, partners and families who raised the allegations and with hopes they are able to return to the club.

There was no reference made to former staff Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt in the statement.

In September 2022, the ABC broke alleged accounts of racial misconduct experienced by then-anonymous Indigenous former Hawks and their partners during the club's most recent premiership period.

The AFL launched an independent investigation, which, after eight months, was dropped with "no adverse findings" against Clarkson, Fagan and Burt.

Days later, those behind the allegations came forward with an open letter.