LUMUMBA HITS OUT AT McGUIRE, GILL’S LEADERSHIP

HERITIER Lumumba has accused AFL boss Gillon McLachlan and Collingwood president Eddie McGuire of “pathetic leadership” and “cowardice” in the wake of the Magpies’ damning racism report.

In his latest social media commentary, Lumumba said it was “shameful” the AFL and Collingwood had “forced” Magpies board member Jodi Sizer and the league’s general manager of inclusion and social policy Tonya Hosch to front the media on the subject.

Declaring that “systemic issues” started at the top, the former Collingwood player said McLachlan and McGuire needed to “front up” rather than letting other people take “their hits”.

McGuire addressed the Magpies’ report at the press conference last Monday, in which he came under fire for describing it as a “proud and historic day” for the club, before he apologised for his choice of words at the club’s AGM the following night.

McLachlan was questioned and responded to the Magpies’ “Do Better” report at a press conference last Tuesday.

Lumumba said that Sizer and Hosch should not have to “answer for the incompetence and indifference of privileged white men”.

“It’s shameful that both Collingwood and the AFL have forced two black women – Jodi Sizer and Tanya Hosch respectively – to front the media for the past week, instead of Eddie McGuire and Gillon McLachlan,” Lumumba wrote on Twitter on Monday.

“Systemic issues start at the top. The people at the top need to front up and face the media, instead of getting others to take their hits.

“This is pathetic leadership and a clear case of cowardice.

“Jodi Sizer has only been at CFC for two years. Why should she have to answer for McGuire’s 20 years of failures, with respect to racism?” ”

The AFL declined to comment yesterday.