Report ‘a watershed moment’ for code

THE lawyer for former AFL star Heritier Lumumba says a report finding systemic racism at Collingwood is a “watershed moment” for the club and the AFL.

Rhea Dhillon, who is special counsel for law firm Phi Finney McDonald, said Lumumba felt “vindicated” by the findings of Collingwood’s Do Better report and the future of his legal proceedings would be determined by what the Magpies and the AFL did next.

Lumumba launched legal action with the Supreme Court of Victoria against Collingwood and the AFL in October, claiming that he was racially abused during his career with the Magpies and both organisations failed to provide him a safe working environment.

“This is a pretty watershed moment, not only for the club but for the AFL,” Dhillon said.

“Now with it all out in the open, suffice to say it entirely vindicates our client’s claims.

“We were waiting and seeing what the report would be and now we’re waiting to see what their response is to it. That could alleviate the need for legal proceedings or we might still have to consider our options.”

Dhillon said Lumumba had been consistent in his desire for an “acknowledgment of wrongdoing and an apology” from Collingwood, plus “compensation for the damage done”.

The Brazilian-born 2010 premiership player, who is now based in Los Angeles in the US, chose not to be interviewed as part of the report but in December did request a copy of it, which was denied by the Magpies.

“He had reason to be sceptical about participation in the report because, as the report states, Collingwood has a tendency to treat things as a PR exercise rather than a serious allegation and doubled down and denied his allegations and has discredited him publicly,” Dhillon said.

“So he was very reluctant to be subjected to that again.