Whether it will remain another chapter in the club’s troubled history with race relations.
In a high-stakes settlement, Collingwood
Football Club has resolved a wrongful
dismissal claim involving former club
employee and accusations of racial
discrimination directed at CEO Graham
Wright. The settlement comes amidst
growing scrutiny over the club’s
handling of internal complaints and its
commitment to addressing racism within
its ranks. This case not only brings to
light issues of potential misconduct at the
leadership level but also casts a shadow
over the club’s efforts to rebuild its
image following the release of its 2021
“Do Better” report on systemic racism.
Background: The Dismissal and Claims.
The allegations began when a former
Collingwood employee, who remains
unnamed for confidentiality reasons,
filed a wrongful dismissal lawsuit,
claiming their employment was
terminated due to race-based
discrimination. According to reports, the
employee alleged that Collingwood’s
management, led by Wright, fostered an
environment that was dismissive of
complaints about workplace
discrimination and marginalized
minority voices. The employee cited
instances of alleged discriminatory
behavior from senior executives and
accused Wright of failing to take
corrective action when the complaints
were raised.
The employee’s legal team asserted that
this alleged pattern of discriminatio and
neglect of racial sensitivity made the
employee’s position untenable, forcing
them to leave the club under conditions
they claim amounted to wrongful
dismissal. The case further alleged that
Collingwood’s leadership, despite its
public commitments, has not taken
adequate steps to create an inclusive
environment for employees of diverse
backgrounds.
Collingwood’s History with Racial Issues.
This latest settlement follows years of
public criticism and scrutiny over racism
allegations within Collingwood FC. In
2021, an independent review
commissioned by the club, known as the
“Do Better” report, revealed entrenched
issues of racism. It labeled the club’s
history on race relations as “systemic”
and called for reforms to address these
longstanding issues.
The report’s findings were a public
relations crisis for Collingwood,
prompting the resignation of former
president Eddie McGuire and an
overhaul of the club’s policies on
diversity, equity, and inclusion. Since
then, Collingwood has made several
public commitments to improve the
environment for both players and staff.
However, this latest case and the
allegations against Wright have called
into question the club’s commitment to
its promises, reigniting public debate
about the effectiveness of the “Do Better”
reforms.
CEO Graham Wright: The Allegations.
Wright, who has been at the helm of the
club’s operations since 2021, has denied
the accusations against him. In a public
statement, he emphasized that
Collingwood has taken significant strides
to improve inclusivity within the
organization. He highlighted initiatives
implemented post-2021, including
mandatory training on cultural
sensitivity for all club employees, the
appointment of a diversity and inclusion
officer, and the introduction of an
anonymous complaint system to report
discrimination.
However, critics argue that these
measures, while important, may not go
far enough in addressing deeper,
systemic issues. Some former employees
and community activists have expressed
skepticism over the club’s follow-through
on promises made in the wake of the “Do
Better” report.
One anonymous source close to the club
stated, “There’s a clear gap between
what’s being said publicly and what’s
happening behind closed doors. The club
has been reluctant to truly acknowledge
and address racial bias, particularly
when it involves individuals in
leadership positions.”
The Settlement and Its Terms.
While Collingwood and the former
employee’s legal team have agreed to a
settlement, the exact terms remain
confidential. However, insiders suggest
that the agreement likely involves a
financial component as well as possible
policy commitments from the club. Both
parties have declined to comment in
detail, citing legal restrictions and
confidentiality agreements.
In a brief statement, Collingwood FC
emphasized that the settlement should
not be construed as an admission of guilt
or liability. Instead, the club views this as
a resolution that will allow all parties to
move forward.
Implications for Collingwood FC’s Future.
This settlement comes at a critical
juncture for Collingwood, as the club
attempts to distance itself from past
controversies and redefine its image. The
timing of the allegations, with the club
recently securing the 2023 AFL
premiership, adds to the club’s
challenges in maintaining its newfound
reputation on the field.
Experts suggest that Collingwood’s
handling of the settlement and the
fallout from the allegations could have
long-lasting implications. “This is a
moment of truth for Collingwood’s
leadership,” said Dr. Jennifer Martin, a
sports sociologist at the University of
Melbourne. “If they truly wish to be seen
as an organization that values inclusivity,
they will need to demonstrate not only
through words but through transparent,
decisive actions.”
A Call for Accountability.
With the settlement now finalized,
advocates are calling on Collingwood to
make a public commitment to further
reforms. Several prominent community
groups have suggested establishing an
external oversight committee to ensure
accountability and transparency in
Collingwood’s diversity initiatives.
“This is a chance for Collingwood to
finally show they mean business when it
comes to anti-racism,” said Ruth Karimi,
spokesperson for the Australian Anti-
Discrimination Alliance. “Words alone
are not enough. The time has come for
them to back their commitments with
concrete action.”
As the club moves forward, all eyes will
be on Collingwood FC to see whether this
latest controversy will lead to
meaningful change—or whether it will
remain another chapter in the club’s
troubled history with race relations.
