Collingwood Football Club has issued an apology to former St Kilda star Nicky Winmar 30 years after the First Nations footballer was racially abused by spectators during an AFL match.
Winmar and teammate Gilbert McAdam were subjected to racial abuse while warming up before Collingwood’s contest against St Kilda at Victoria Park on April 17, 1993. During the game, Winmar famously lifted his jumper and pointed at his skin, resulting in one of the sport’s most iconic photos.
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“The Collingwood Football Club understands that racism is harmful and has no place in our game and apologises to Nicky Winmar and to Gilbert McAdam for the hurt they experienced playing football,” the club said in a statement on Sunday afternoon.
“It takes courage to stand against racism and when First Nations people do so, it is our opportunity – all Australians – to listen, learn and change for the better.
“To Nicky Winmar, to Gilbert McAdam, and to their families, we say sorry.”
There was a pre-game acknowledgment of the famous moment before Sunday’s Round 6 contest at Adelaide Oval, with Collingwood and St Kilda players running through a joint banner acknowledging Winmar, who was in attendance.
“This is amazing,” former Carlton and Adelaide footballer Eddie Betts said on Fox Footy.
“It’s been a big, emotional week for Nicky.
“For these two clubs to run through to the banner and make that stance against racism … it’s special, and we need to continue educating.”
Before the coin toss at Adelaide Oval, Betts thanked Winmar for taking a stance against racism and paving the way for First Nations Australians.
“I know it’s a hard week,” Betts said to Winmar.
“I know when you look at that stance, you don’t see the positives, you see the negatives.
“I get a bit emotional talking to you about it.
“We are moving forward as a nation, and we are progressing, and we are getting better.
“I will always have your back, and I will always support you. We love you.”
Earlier this month, Western Bulldogs footballer Jamarra Ugle-Hagan raised his jersey and pointed to his skin in a show of defiance, having also copped abuse from the stands against St Kilda. Following the incident, a quartet of AFL players were subjected to racist social media abuse.
“To be clear, we at Collingwood remain on a journey – we believe that real and lasting cultural change takes time, dedication and persistence,” the Collingwood FC statement continued.
“We also believe there is no finishing line when it comes to eliminating racism.
“Collingwood is incredibly fortunate to have many proud First Nations people who make up our Club across all levels – as players, coaches, staff and on our Board. We thank our First Nations brothers and sisters who continue to share their culture and experiences to make our Club better.”
“In recent weeks we have seen too many First Nations players racially vilified. There is still work to do.
“Racism is never ok – it wasn’t then, and it isn’t now.”
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