Collingwood has stood by its chief executive and its record on addressing racism following allegations made by a former employee. Former head of First Nations strategy, Mark Cleaver, is suing the club, claiming that it breached laws around race, disability and equal opportunity. Now, some fear the club is not making good on its promises to do better.
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00:00Mark Cleaver once sang their former employer's praises.
00:05Today, Collingwood is defending itself against allegations
00:10of racism Mr Cleaver has levelled against the club
00:14and its CEO, Craig Kelly.
00:16An internal investigation finding...
00:18There was no illegal conduct.
00:20There was no breach of any workplace laws.
00:23Federal court documents reveal Mr Cleaver is suing the club,
00:26claiming he experienced hurt, humiliation and distress
00:30when his employment was terminated,
00:32and that Mr Kelly assaulted him
00:34and made jokes and slurs about Indigenous culture.
00:37I don't think he's the sort of person
00:39that would disrespect any other person.
00:41I believe he's a person that has high regard
00:45for the people who work around him.
00:47He's an excellent leader. He loves his staff.
00:50Mr Cleaver's lawyers are keen to see
00:52an independent investigation into the matter
00:55and for there to be ramifications.
00:57One of the most ultimate consequences
00:59would be a penalisation of premiership points
01:02and I think it's something that the AFL should look at
01:04if these allegations are proven.
01:06The allegations come three years after the release
01:09of the Do Better report,
01:11which found Collingwood guilty of systemic racism.
01:14The club says it's implemented the report's recommendations.
01:18Some say it's not enough.
01:20Collingwood need to grow up.
01:22They've been, you know, they're screaming and scratching their way
01:25into the modern era in terms of, you know,
01:27what's appropriate in the modern-day world
01:29and Collingwood certainly haven't learnt their lesson
01:31and that's why these matters keep flaring up.
01:33Sporting organisations can take leadership role
01:36in trying to work out ways to effectively tackle these things
01:39and eliminate racism,
01:42and that would be a really great thing for them to do.
01:45Collingwood is yet to file its legal defence.