Collingwood racism: Pies reach out to Heritier Lumumba, Andrew Krakouer and Leon Davis

Eddie McGuire had a surprise take on the latest allegations made by three ex-Collingwood players regarding the club's stance on racism and has called for a “truth-telling session”.

Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says his heart “breaks” that three former Magpie stars, Heritier Lumumba, Leon Davis and Andrew Krakouer, have severed all ties with the club.

McGuire wasn’t shocked by Lumumba’s tweet on Wednesday, saying that “nothing has changed” in the wake of the club’s Do Better report into racism as he said he had been in communication with all three players in recent years.

“I hope that these three greats of the club come back to the club and have a truth telling session and get to a resolution,” McGuire said on Channel 9.

“That’s what everyone wants.

“Everyone wants this to be resolved and to move forward with things, not to move away (from the issue), because that’s the easy way.”

He said he had tried to get the three ex-players back to the club in recent years and was prepared to do so again if he thought there was any chance he could facilitate their return.

“I have (contracted) them over the journey … I am out of Collingwood now, but if I can help at all (I will talk to them again).

Heritier Lumumba and Eddie McGuire.

“I would do anything possible to try and help everyone get to a position … our hearts break when we see these things.

“These are guys who I love and who everyone loves, they were fabulous players at the football club. Let’s keep the dialogue open.”

McGuire said new Magpies president Jeff Browne was “adamant” the board would follow through the recommendations of the Do Better report.

“I am not a spokesperson for the club anymore, but I would say that last week the authors of the Do Better report gave the implementation of those recommendations a massive tick,” McGuire said.

“The Do Better report was commissioned by the Collingwood Football Club; it wasn’t opposed. It was then acted upon, there is now a 15-person multicultural taskforce, the vice-president of the club, Jodee Sizer, was a significant player in the reconciliation plan that was implemented at the Collingwood Football Club at my time.

“There are a lot of things going on.”

COLLINGWOOD RESPONDS TO RACISM ALLEGATIONS

Collingwood says it is committed to a “genuine outcome” for players who have experienced racism at the club after a trio of former Magpies severed ties with the club on Wednesday.

Magpies 2010 premiership player Heritier Lumumba took to social media to declare “nothing has changed” in the wake of the club’s report into allegations of racism.

The ex-Pie — who has been vocal in his disgust at what he says he experienced at the club under then-president Eddie McGuire and former coach Nathan Buckley — said he, Andrew Krakouer and Leon Davis would no longer engage with the club.

(L-R) Heritier Lumumba, Andrew Krakouer and Leon Davis want nothing more to do with the Collingwood Football Club.

“After 15 months of dialogue to address past incidents of racism at the Collingwood Football Club, Leon Davis, Andrew Krakouer and I have formally notified the club that we are officially terminating all communications with CFC,” Lumumba revealed on Wednesday morning.

“Nothing has changed.

“It is our firm belief that the Collingwood Football Club has no intention of acting in good faith to achieve a just outcome for past players who have experienced racism at the club.”

The club embarked on the “Do Better” report in 2021, an independent review into systemic racism.

1/2 After 15 months of dialogue to address past incidents of racism at the Collingwood Football Club, Leon Davis, Andrew Krakouer and I have formally notified the club that we are officially terminating all communications with CFC.

— Héritier Lumumba (@iamlumumba) April 12, 2022

It only last month released the 12-month progress review into how it had addressed the shortcomings that had been identified.

In a statement on Wednesday, Collingwood chief executive Mark Anderson said he hoped the affected players would be part of the club’s process.

“We remain committed to, and hopeful of, a genuine outcome for any and all players who have been subject to racism at our club,” he said.

“Our processes of the past needed to be reviewed and the Do Better Review and report recommendations addressed what we needed to change and implement.

“The Do Better Report recommended that a Truth Telling process and strategy was established to address and reconcile past acts of racism to inform ongoing change so that racism doesn’t occur in the future.

Mark Anderson and Eddie McGuire hold a press conference to discuss the release of the club's ‘Do Better’ report. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“Overseen by the Expert Advisory Group, the club has sought input from experts in Truth Telling to establish a process where experiences of racism at the club can be shared in a supported, respectful and safe environment and for the club to acknowledge and learn from the harm that has been caused.

“As part of our Do Better Report implementation, the Truth Telling Process was always planned to commence at the end of April and communication to our past players, coaches and staff will occur within this time frame.

“We want to ensure that all Collingwood Football Club people who have been impacted by racism are able to be part of this process.

“The club is committed to ensuring any and all players who have experienced racism benefit from this process and look forward to and welcome their involvement.”

Davis and Krakouer have been approached for comment.

Originally published as Collingwood racism: Pies reach out to Heritier Lumumba, Andrew Krakouer and Leon Davis