Collingwood Faces Racism Allegations in Court

Collingwood Football Club is facing serious allegations of racism from its former head of First Nations strategy, Mark Cleaver, who has filed a lawsuit in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. The claims include accusations against chief executive Craig Kelly for making derogatory remarks and jokes about Indigenous culture, as well as instances of alleged physical assault. Collingwood maintains that it has acted lawfully following internal and external investigations that found no breach of workplace law. The AFL has been urged to strip the club of premiership points if the allegations are proven, raising concerns about whether Collingwood has learned from previous racism scandals. Daniel Victory, Cleaver's legal representative, emphasized the need for accountability from the club, which has a history of systemic racism issues. A court hearing is scheduled for August 27, 2024, to address the matter.