00:00Mark Cleaver once sang their former employer's praises.
00:05Today, Collingwood is defending itself against allegations
00:10of racism Mr Cleaver has levelled against the club
00:14and its CEO, Craig Kelly.
00:16An internal investigation finding...
00:18There was no illegal conduct.
00:20There was no breach of any workplace laws.
00:23Federal court documents reveal Mr Cleaver is suing the club,
00:26claiming he experienced hurt, humiliation and distress
00:30when his employment was terminated,
00:32and that Mr Kelly assaulted him
00:34and made jokes and slurs about Indigenous culture.
00:37I don't think he's the sort of person
00:39that would disrespect any other person.
00:41I believe he's a person that has high regard
00:45for the people who work around him.
00:47He's an excellent leader. He loves his staff.
00:50Mr Cleaver's lawyers are keen to see
00:52an independent investigation into the matter
00:55and for there to be ramifications.
00:57One of the most ultimate consequences
00:59would be a penalisation of premiership points
01:02and I think it's something that the AFL should look at
01:04if these allegations are proven.
01:06The allegations come three years after the release
01:09of the Do Better report,
01:11which found Collingwood guilty of systemic racism.
01:14The club says it's implemented the report's recommendations.
01:18Some say it's not enough.
01:20Collingwood need to grow up.
01:22They've been, you know, they're screaming and scratching their way
01:25into the modern era in terms of, you know,
01:27what's appropriate in the modern-day world
01:29and Collingwood certainly haven't learnt their lesson
01:31and that's why these matters keep flaring up.
01:33Sporting organisations can take leadership role
01:36in trying to work out ways to effectively tackle these things
01:39and eliminate racism,
01:42and that would be a really great thing for them to do.
01:45Collingwood is yet to file its legal defence.
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