Eddie McGuire responds to stars cutting ties with Collingwood over racism claims

Former Collingwood boss Eddie McGuire has responded to the news three star ex-players have cut ties with the Magpies for good.

Eddie McGuire has responded to three for Collingwood players cutting ties with the club.

Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire says his “heart breaks” that three former stars have cut ties with the Magpies and hopes their relationship with the club can be mended one day.

On Wednesday, Collingwood premiership player Heritier Lumumba said he and other ex-players have severed ties completely with the club over its handling of allegations of racism.

Lumumba said on Twitter on he, Leon Davis and Andrew Krakouer — who all played for Collingwood — want nothing more to do with the Pies.

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“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 wrote.

“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.”

McGuire said he wasn’t shocked by Lumumba’s tweet but he still holds out hope Collingwood can repair its relationship with the three players.

“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.”

Heritier Lumuba, Leon Davis and Andrew Krakouer have all cut ties with Collingwood.

McGuire said he had tried to bring the ex-players back into the fold at Collingwood in recent years and was willing to do so again if it would help them come back to the club.

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

“I would do anything possible to try and help everyone get to a position

“Of course, that’s what we do. 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.”

Lumumba has spoken out repeatedly over an alleged racist culture he says existed at Collingwood during his time with the AFL giant. He says there was a culture of “racist jokes” and alleges he was referred to as “Chimp” by teammates.

Last year an independent investigation found Collingwood was guilty of fostering “systemic racism” that had “resulted in profound and enduring harm to First Nations and African players”.

Heritier Lumumba and Eddie McGuire. Photo: Wayne Ludbey.

McGuire announced the club would undertake the “Do better” report to improve its racial and cultural awareness and understanding.

He later resigned as a furious backlash erupted when he tried to put a positive spin on the investigation, calling it a “proud day” for the club.

McGuire said new Collingwood president Jeff Browne was “adamant” the board would implement 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 task force, 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.”