AFL boss Andrew Dillon responds to racism class action

AFL boss Andrew Dillon has responded to a racism class action filed against the league, saying “we’ve been really clear that we don’t agree” with the historical claims.

The AFL says it will be held to account on “what the laws were and what the standards were of the day” as it prepares to defend itself against a racism class action that covers allegations of player abuse from 1975-2022.

League chief executive Andrew Dillon said on Friday it was taking the explosive class action “really seriously” and again declared it would fight allegations of negligent conduct.

Former North Melbourne star Phil Krakouer is the lead plaintiff and last week the Herald Sun revealed the explosive statement of claim that was lodged with Victoria’s Supreme Court.

Gordon Legal, the law firm founded by former Western Bulldogs president Peter Gordon, accepted the statement of claim on behalf of the AFL and is expected to help the league defend the claims.

Gordon Legal was named on a notice of appearance document filed on behalf of the defendant — the AFL — with the court on February 1.

“These are talking about historical events,” Dillon said on 3AW.

“So our view is we will look at them, but we’ve been really clear that we don’t agree with the claims that are made in that the AFL acted negligently and has acted negligently.

“So we’ll defend those claims.”

Andrew Dillon. Picture: Morgan Hancock/AFL Photos/via Getty Images

The statement of claim accused Essendon greats Kevin Sheedy, Terry Daniher, Roger Merrett and Bill Duckworth, as well as Carlton’s Wayne Johnston, of allegedly being involved in vile racist attacks levelled against Phil and Jimmy Krakouer.

The allegations stemmed from the Krakouer brothers’ playing days together at North Melbourne in the 1980s.

Sheedy, Daniher, Merrett and Duckworth will be at the MCG on Saturday as the Bombers celebrate their 40-year premiership anniversary against Hawthorn.

Sheedy has strongly denied the allegations.

“Kevin Sheedy has been a magnificent ambassador for the game. He’s provided so many opportunities for so many players,” Dillon said on Friday.

Dillon was asked on Friday whether it was possible for the AFL to be sued on modern standards based on events from the 1980s.

He responded: “As the class action works through what the AFL, and the clubs and anyone else who will be held to account, will be what the laws were and what the standards were of the day”.

Australia’s Racial Discrimination Act was enacted on June 11, 1975.