The damning report Collingwood DOESN'T want you to read: Secret inquiry uncovers 'systemic racism' at AFL club where a black footy star accused players of giving him the nickname 'CHIMP'
A damning report has uncovered a culture of 'systemic racism' at AFL club Collingwood just days after Magpies legend Eddie McGuire suddenly revealed he was quitting as president.
The scathing report found the club's attempts to deal with allegations of racism were either 'ineffective' or 'exacerbated' the situation.
Delivered to club executives on December 17 but kept secret until Monday, the report's authors said Collingwood was now perceived by some as 'synonymous with off-field and on-field racism in Australian sport'.
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Ex-Collingwood player Heritier Lumumba is suing the Magpies over claims he was subjected to racial abuse while playing with the team. An independent report has now hit out at the club's attempts to deal with allegations of racism
'While claims of racism have been made across the AFL, there is something distinct and egregious about Collingwood’s history,' the report obtained by the Herald Sun said.
'There is a gap between what Collingwood Football Club says it stands for and what it does.'
The review follows ex-Collingwood player Heritier Lumumba suing the Magpies over claims he was subjected to racial abuse while playing with the team.
The 35-page report - conducted by two experts in Aboriginal affairs from Sydney's University of Technology - called for a separate investigation into Lumumba's claims.
Entitled 'Do Better — Independent review into Collingwood Football Club’s responses to incidents of racism and cultural safety in the workplace', the report referred to nearly a dozen high-profile allegations of racism at the club.
Included among them was a mention of McGuire's joke suggestion in 2013 that Sydney Swans Indigenous star Adam Goodes should be used to promote the King Kong musical.
As well as heavily criticising Collingwood's response to allegations of racism, the report called for a separate investigation into former player Lumumba's claims (Lumumba is pictured playing for the Melbourne Demons in 2016)
Nicky Winmar lifts his shirt to a feral Collingwood crowd in 1993 after the Saints won at Victoria Park. The image has become iconic in the campaign against racism in sport
Its authors Professor Larissa Behrendt and Professor Lindon Coombes also mentioned Lumumba's claim he was nicknamed 'chimp' by other Magpies players.
Other incidents named in the report include the moment Nicky Winmar famously lifted his shirt and pointed to his skin after receiving racist slurs from Collingwood's cheer squad at Victoria Park in 1993.
However, the report also noted the AFL giant had taken 'important and positive steps' to address racism within its ranks.
'This has included the appointment of a First Nations person to the board, the introduction of new policies that more directly target racism and the appointment of a new CEO who has a commitment to making changes,' the report said.
'It needs to be noted and underlined that, in undertaking this review, the club was unflinching in holding up a mirror to itself.'
Collingwood Magpies president Eddie McGuire announced in December he would be stepping away from his position at the end of the 2021 season after 23 years in the top role
Collingwood said in December it would review the report's findings and publicly comment on them early in the New Year.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Collingwood for further comment.
Also in December, McGuire - a Collingwood icon who has spent 23 years at the helm of the club - announced he was stepping away from his position at the end of the 2021 season.
He told club members he was determined to fight against racism at the club's playing and training facilities during his final season in charge.
McGuire made the shock announcement he would vacate his role at the club's annual members online forum on December 14.
Only McGuire's wife and sons knew of his decision beforehand.
'Back in 1998 it was my time to stand up for our beloved Collingwood, instead of calling on others to do something for our club, they turned my way and I'm proud that I answered,' McGuire said.
'I have given everything I have to this position and now it is time for the club going forward, I will stand down at the end of next year and spend the rest of my time as president setting up a new era of Collingwood.'