AFL boss Gillon McLachlan stands by Collingwood president Eddie McGuire despite ‘sobering and confronting’ racism report

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan has praised Collingwood’s “courageous” decision to commission an internal report into racism at the club.

McLachlan said he was disappointed at the tone of the conversation about the release of the report, which has largely focussed on Eddie McGuire’s press conference on Monday, in which he called it a “historic and proud day” for the club.

While saying he disagreed with McGuire’s choice of words, McLachlan said he supported McGuire’s commitment to enacting the change laid out in the report.

“I’ve spoken to Ed and asked him some questions,” McLachlan said.

“I would have articulated things differently. I would have used a different word. I thought that it was more sobering and confronting.

“And I think that Ed understands that position, and probably agrees with that.

“I know from the conversation that I had with Ed that he’s committed to taking the club forward and implementing the recommendations.

“That’s where we need to focus the discussion — on holding the board and others to account in delivering on the recommendations, rather than looking back to the execution.”

More to come.