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Eddie McGuire resigns as Collingwood President in wake of racism report

Eddie McGuire resigns as Collingwood President in wake of racism report
February 9, 2021
Sport /

Eddie McGuire has announced his resignation as President of Collingwood Football Club, effective immediately, following the release of a report that found “systemic racism” at the AFL giant, and his subsequent reaction to its findings.

McGuire's position, from which he already announced he was stepping down at the end of the year, had come under severe scrutiny after his response last week into to an internal report into racism at the club, with an open letter signed by politicians and Indigenous circulated in recent days calling for him to step down.

While the initially leaked report had been highly critical of the Magpies' history of race-related incidents, McGuire’s comments on the results of the independent investigation had been seen as downplaying there seriousness.

When fronting media last week, he described the release of the Do Better report as "an historic and proud day for the Collingwood Football Club" as it committed to take up the recommendations of the report, which was commissioned last year after allegations from former player Heritier Lumumba.

Later, McGuire (pictured) admitted he had missed the mark with those comments, noting "I got it wrong.

"I meant to sincerely acknowledge not only the enormous work the club had done (and) also the work of all our staff and their preparedness to take a deep and uncompromising look into our past as a club.”

Following ongoing pressure, McGuire today resigned from the role he had held for more than 22 years.

At a press conference today, McGuire reiterated his view the Magpies are not a racist club but admitted his position was now untenable.

Saying he did not want to prove a distraction to the players in the upcoming season, McGuire said the club's work in the community, including its programs with Indigenous people, showed it was not racist.

McGuire stated "I try my best and I don't always get it right, but I don't stop trying.

"From the moment I became the President of the Collingwood Football Club on my 34th birthday back in 1998, my sole motivation was to heal, unite, inspire and drive a new social conscience, not just into this club, but sport and the community in general and build an organisation that would be a place for opportunity for all people."

McGuire went on to say "people have latched on to my opening line last week and as a result I have become a lightning rod for vitriol, but (I) have placed the club in a position where it is hard to move forward with our plans.”

Highlighting the Club's work in the community and with at-risk Indigenous people, he added “it is why I'm so proud of our club and the people every day of every week who benefit and who are inspired by the very purpose of the being of Collingwood - and that is to be a beacon of hope for all people, particularly those at their lowest ebb or who have been socially isolated and left behind.”

The Do Better report was sparked by the testimony of Lumumba, who has complained he was subject to racist nicknames and was ostracised by the club when he spoke out.

Lumumba has said the report vindicated his concerns but the club’s response was “shameful”.

Related Articles

2nd February 2021 - Revelations at Collingwood FC are ‘tip of the iceberg’ of racial prejudice in Australian sport

1st February 2021 - Unreleased review reveals ‘systemic racism’ at AFL’s Collingwood FC

19th January 2021 - Trans player Hannah Mouncey plans legal action against AFL

11th January 2021 - Study finds impacts of AFL players concussion last longer than previously thought

15th December 2020 - Collingwood President Eddie McGuire to step down at end of 2021 AFL season

23rd October 2020 - Former Collingwood player Héritier Lumumba sues AFL and club over alleged racism

14th October 2020 - AFL’s Tanya Hosch named South Australia’s Australian of the Year

30th September 2020 - Upgraded Gabba prepares for AFL Grand Final

25th August 2020 - AFL restructuring sees integration of management at Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium

24th August 2020 - Decline in income forces AFL to restructure operations with 20% of staff to be cut

26th June 2020 - Founder Greg Glassman sells CrossFit in aftermath of racism backlash

23rd June 2020 - Collingwood club to finally review refers Heritier Lumumba’s racism allegations

15th August 2019 - NRL Chief Executives re-enforce zero tolerance approach to racism and abuse of players

7th June 2019 - AFL issues ‘unreserved’ apology over racism faced by Adam Goodes

4th August 2015 - AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan says the sport has zero tolerance for racism

27th May 2013 - Sport stars unite to stamp racism out of sport


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