Collingwood president Eddie McGuire fronted the media on Monday following a leaked 35-page report that found the Collingwood Football Club guilty of systematic racism.
The secret review, which was made public by The Herald Sun, stated that “while claims of racism have been made across the AFL, there is something distinct and egregious about Collingwood's history".
Club CEO Mark Anderson, integrity committee members Peter Murphy and Jodie Sizer along with McGuire fronted to the media in response to the report.
McGuire opened the proceedings by stating: "This is a historic and proud day for the Collingwood Football Club".
The Collingwood president then went on to state the club is aiming to improve on their stance in a "fight against racism".
"We have spent the last 6 years in a deep dive into how we can make ourselves better, provide leadership and conversation in the community as only Collingwood can," McGuire said.
"We have decided as a club that this fight against racism and discrimination is where we want to be.
"We make mistakes. We learn, we strive to be better."
They appear intent on proving a key point of the report authors: “There is a gap between what Collingwood Football Club says it stands for and what it does.”
— Chip Le Grand (@Melbchief) February 1, 2021
Sizer, one of the AFL's inaugural First Nations board members, added to McGuire's comments, stating it was a "landmark day" for Collingwood.
"Racism, and how we respond to it, is one of the most prevalent issues of our time. There is not a workplace in the country that should not be having this conversation," she said.
"There is 100 per cent commitment to doing better, and doing the work that needs to be done. I'm proud of our club for having the courage, and our board for accepting the recommendations. It is a landmark day.
"As the report states, it's time to act. It's time for Collingwood to meet the moment."
McGuire further added that the club was happy to welcome the review and are looking to take further steps in bettering the club.
"This isn't criticism. This is a review," he said.
A key part of the report into Collingwood’s racism was how the club had tried to spin its way out of such issues and cared more about media image than actions. So what do we hear today... 🙄
— Richard Hinds (@rdhinds) February 1, 2021
"It's very strong because we asked them to go as hard as they could, so we could have a base to build our club on. We wanted to seize the moment, look at world affairs over the last 12 months, and put ourselves head of it.
"I am extremely proud. I've been here for a long time, and we've done a lot of great things."
McGuire is set to step down from his duties at the Magpies at the conclusion of the 2021 season.
