MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 21: Dejected Magpies players walk from the ground after the round two AFL match between St Kilda Saints and Collingwood Magpies at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on March 21, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
Collingwood players apologise for systemic racism
The open letter signed by 150 players begins with the word “sorry” – a word Eddie McGuire failed to say at a previous press conference.
Instead, he described the release of the review as “a proud day” for the club, leading to calls for him to step down.
The letter of apology from the players follows the release of the “Do Better” review commissioned by the club.
The damning report by Larissa Behrendt, a University of Technology Sydney professor, found Collingwood has a problem with structural racism.
The findings vindicate former player Héritier Lumumba, who had previously complained of racism at the club, including being called “chimp” by teammates.
McGuire held a hastily-organised press conference earlier in the week when details of the review were leaked to the media.
During the nearly hour-long session, he failed to once say “sorry” to those affected by racism at Collingwood.
Instead, he described it as “a proud day” for the club.
He also spent much of the press conference talking up his own achievements during his 22-year reign as President.
