Heritier Lumumba releases more previously secret tape recordings of meetings with Nathan Buckley

Heritier Lumumba is walking away from his feud with Nathan Buckley and Collingwood – but not before releasing more secret tape recordings of his time at the club. LISTEN HERE

Heritier Lumumba has released two more previously secret tape recordings to refute former coach Nathan Buckley’s claim that he requested to be traded out of Collingwood.

In a series of fresh Twitter posts to counter comments made by Buckley last week, Lumumba has declared the release of the tapes will be the final act in his bid to reveal the truth behind his experiences at the Magpies.

“It brings me a great sense of peace and fulfilment to close this chapter and confidently walk away having taken this issue as far as it has gone,” Lumumba said.

“Throughout the years, there has only ever been one mission: to tell and defend my truth.

“I’ve been trying to close this chapter since 2017, but repeated dishonesty, misconduct and the refusal of CFC figures past and present to admit simple facts has dragged this out.

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Nathan Buckley and Heritier Lumumba. Picture: Getty Images

“With less than two weeks before I become a father again, closing this chapter and releasing this burden has come at the perfect time.”

The first piece of audio on Wednesday’s post featured a 2014 meeting between Lumumba, Buckley and former Pies recruiting boss Derek Hine discussing the decision for Lumumba to depart Collingwood.

On the tape, the former Pies defender can be heard saying: “You want to trade me, or like I said, I wouldn’t play for any (other club). That’s how I feel.”

3/ In response to Nathan Buckley’s false claim last week that I had asked to be traded from CFC, I’m providing this recording to make it clear that I was pushed out of the club. They made it clear they had made their decision, & that my only choice was to retire or be traded. pic.twitter.com/18xjVor0bk

— Héritier Lumumba (@iamlumumba) May 18, 2022

5/ It was made clear to me that my decision to challenge the Club's culture would simply not be tolerated. pic.twitter.com/axmq3rWenM

— Héritier Lumumba (@iamlumumba) May 18, 2022

He tells Buckley and Hine that he was “under distress”, to which Buckley responds, “But once again, that’s a subjective feeling. You said that how you felt devalued and whatever. We can’t, no one can do anything (about that) … no one can do anything about it mate … because – and it’s probably it just validates why this decision is the right one for you and for us.”

Lumumba then says: “You can’t say that it’s the right decision for me. For you it is.” Buckley replies; “You’re right, I can’t.”

The 2010 premiership player said of the conversation on Wednesday: “I’m providing this recording to make it clear that I was pushed out of the club.

“They made it clear they had made their decision and that my only choice was to retire or be traded.”

He said his then manager Ben Niall had listened to the recording “straight after the meeting” and had immediately called the club to address it with them.

Nick Maxwell, Nathan Buckley and Heritier Lumumba at a Collingwood best and fairest. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis

Lumumba said he had released a second piece of audio to prove “it was made clear to me that my decision to challenge the club’s culture would simply not be tolerated.”

Buckley can be heard telling Lumumba he “flew off the handle” in 2013.

“I flew off the handle did I?” Lumumba responds.

“Or did I react to nine years of being in an environment that was disgusting?”

In a heated exchange, Buckley then says “what you have done in the last couple months, mate, the way that you have acted. I’ve said to you, you’ve been a little bit inconsistent.

“And that is the reason why I didn’t have you in the room (in a leadership group meeting) … you’re making it clear with your actions H because you’re not in line with the Collingwood Football Club.”

Buckley challenged Lumumba last week to release the full and uncut recordings of their conversations during his time at Collingwood.

He tweeted that Lumumba had asked to be removed from the leadership group and asked to be traded from the club.

Lumumba recently withdrew from a now derailed “truth-telling” process with Collingwood, along with Andrew Krakouer and Leon Davis, saying that “nothing has changed” in the wake of the club’s report into allegations of racism.

Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire said he was saddened by the latest flare up in the Magpies racism saga but still hoped Lumumba would one day return to the club.

Collingwood chief executive Mark Anderson said in a statement last week:

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