AFL 2020: St Kilda apology after Robert Muir racism bombshell report

An AFL club has issued a stunning apology after the horrific, distressing abuse of a club legend was detailed in a bombshell report.

Footballer Robert Muir at St Kilda training.

The St Kilda Football Club has issued an apology following bombshell revelations of racist abuse endured by club legend Robert Muir.

The 66-year-old detailed his horrific, distressing career of 68 senior games with the Saints in the 1970s and 80s in a confronting interview with the ABC.

The report details the culture of racism that plagued Muir throughout his career.

Muir says in the stunning report he endured racist abuse from within his own St Kilda dressing room, from his own supporters as well as from opposition players and fans across the Victorian Football League.

The disturbing revelations include Muir’s private anguish at being given the nickname “Mad Dog” by his own teammates.

It helped build him into one of the most feared characters on the field in football where he finished his career reported 13 times and suspended for 22 matches.

Former AFL coach John Northey told the ABC report Muir’s tragic story of abuse began inside his own football club.

“To me, that was a shocking thing to do,” Northey said of the nickname given to Muir.

“I think Robert is more maligned than any player who’s ever played the game. I think it put him in positions he shouldn’t have been in.

“Anybody who has been through what Robert’s been through should be acknowledged by their club. Unfortunately, to me it all started with that name.”

Robert Muir as he appears on a Scanlens footy gum card. Robbie Muir. Football card.

According to the report, Muir’s abuse included being spat on by spectators at football matches, being urinated on by teammates and having glass bottles thrown at him.

Muir’s claims included accusations he was ostracised by the Saints when he retired from football.

St Kilda on Sunday responded by releasing a statement of apology from St Kilda CEO Matt Finnis.

“Reading about the impact of racism on Robert Muir’s life in today’s ABC article will no doubt be confronting for everyone involved in football, as it was for me personally,” Finnis said.

“We admire Robert’s courage to speak out about the racism he has endured and lack of support provided by our club when he needed it most.

“We apologise unreservedly to Robert and his family and are humbled that he continues to love our club.

“Today we celebrate the contribution Indigenous players have made to our game as part of the Sir Doug Nicholls Round. However, we must face the reality that the St Kilda Football Club has made grave errors in the past and may still be failing to grasp the full impact of the hurt felt by individuals, their families and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Footballer Robert Muir with his son Matthew, 2, back in Adelaide after being suspended for 12 matches by the VFL tribunal 08 May 1984.

“We are committed to reconciliation and justice, and must ensure that this commitment is not just about celebration of culture, and initiatives to support past and current players and junior footballers. We must also acknowledge our mistakes, and take action to repair harm and ensure mistakes are never repeated.

“We will reach out to Robert to apologise personally, to provide the necessary support now and in the future, and to ensure he feels the respect and sense of belonging he deserves as one of the St Kilda Football Club’s pioneering Indigenous footballers.

“We have much to learn from Robert’s story and are committed to rebuilding his relationship with St Kilda and our game at his pace.”

Muir’s decision to reveal the details of his personal torment has resulted in an overwhelming response from the AFL community.

A GoFundMe page created to raise money to cover a long-overdue shoulder operation from an injury related to his playing career almost 40 years ago exploded on Sunday.

By 3pm (AEST) on Sunday the GoFundMe page had raised more than $40,000 for Muir.