Emirates president Sir Tim Clark addresses Collingwood racism report

The president of air carrier Emirates has broken his silence amid calls for the company to pull out as Collingwood’s major sponsor.

Major Collingwood sponsor Emirates has broken its silence over the AFL club’s recent racism report and comments from former president Eddie McGuire to condemn racism.

In an exclusive interview with News Corp Australia, Emirates president Sir Tim Clark addressed further calls for the airline, the Middle East’s largest carrier, to pull out as Collingwood’s major sponsor.

McGuire, who led the club for 22 years, sensationally stood down on Tuesday after an open letter signed by prominent Indigenous community leaders, sporting greats and politicians called for his resignation.

Emirates is a major sponsor of the Collingwood Football Club.

McGuire’s resignation followed a leaked report titled ‘Do Better’ that alleged systemic racism was endemic at the Melbourne football club.

He made the emotional announcement less than 24 hours after the open letter was made public.

Sir Tim ruled out severing ties with the AFL heavyweight.

“We’ve always been a sponsor of Collingwood since we came back (flying into Australia) in 1996,” he said.

“We value that relationship, it’s very important for us in southern Australia and in Victoria.

“Obviously things are challenged for the airline industry because in Emirates, we are heavily into sports sponsorships.

Emirates President Sir Tim Clark condemned systemic racism and said it was an opportunity for everyone to do better. Picture: Supplied

“Things like Collingwood, which is one of our top sports sponsorships in the southern hemisphere, we value those and we want to retain that.

“I don’t see why we wouldn’t, given that we believe they will come back in the next few months.”

Sir Tim condemned systemic racism and said this was an opportunity for everyone to do better.

“Systemic racism … is abhorrent and it’s totally unacceptable in any shape or form,” he said.

“It needs to be stamped out in sport. It’s distasteful, it has baggage attached to brands, etc. Everybody has got to step up and stop this nonsense.

“And this isn’t just about Collingwood. It is a view that we take as a company, after all, we have about 130, 140 nationalities [from] very senior positions as well as the cabin crew and everybody else.

Eddie McGuire stood down as Collingwood president after 22 years leading the club. Picture: Adam Trafford/AFL Media

“We are a multiracial operation. The notion that we would be party to or anything like that, no, no, no. It needs to be stamped out in sport otherwise, if you carry on like this, it becomes … abhorrent.

“It’s distasteful, it has a baggage attached to brands, etc. You can’t do that … Everybody has got to step up and stop this nonsense.”

The move was welcomed by Indigenous leaders with Victoria’s first Indigenous senator Linda Thorpe tweeting: “Well, it’s a proud day for all those who have been racially vilified in this country. The fight doesn’t stop here. #NoRoomforRacism #EddieHadToGo.”

In a statement for the AFL Commission, chairman Richard Goyder said Commission Executives would review the “Do Better” report to “better understand and fight all forms of racism and discrimination.

“As the game’s governing body it is our responsibility to lead conversations in our game and in our football community that address racism and ensure we have behaviours, actions, programs, processes and beliefs in place that support a safe environment for all,” Goyder said.

“Eddie’s actions … showed his commitment to put the Collingwood Football Club first and to ensure the focus for the club was on moving to implement the 18 recommendations of the Do Better report.”

Originally published as Emirates president Sir Tim Clark addresses Collingwood racism report