Collingwood boss breaks his silence after being accused of shocking racist slurs
Craig Kelly has broken his silence to thank outgoing president Jeff Browne for his support after the Collingwood chief executive was accused of highly offensive racist comments by a former staff member.
The allegations against Kelly were made in July, with former head of First Nations Strategy Mark Cleaver filing papers in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia alleging he suffered economic loss, distress and humiliation after his employment with the club had ended. ended.
The case has now been settled out of court, but the impact the incident had on himself and his family was discussed. Following an investigation, Collingwood said no workplace laws had been broken. They alleged that his termination was due to conduct unrelated to his complaint.
Browne revealed in August that he had been diagnosed with myeloma, a form of blood cancer. He stated that he would resign from his role as club chairman if he believed ‘things were in order’.
The president had fiercely denied the allegations made against Kelly during the unfair dismissal and denied that the Magpies were a racist club.
He said: ‘We support Craig Kelly in this and we intend to challenge these proceedings.’
Collingwood boss Craig Kelly has broken his silence after allegations of racism were made against him
Jeff Browne has revealed he will step down as president of Collingwood after being diagnosed with cancer
Kelly, who has been at the club for two seasons, has not spoken out on the matter since it first came to light, but this week opened up about how Browne had been a pillar of strength to him during his time at the club. .
“I’m going to miss Jeff (Browne) very much,” he told SEN.
“He’s a great gentleman, how he came from behind and supported (Kelly). Honestly, I’ve just been able to focus on what I need to do.
“He’s taken a lot of pressure in relation to that (the claim). It wasn’t a good time.
“I don’t really want to talk about it too much because it’s quite legal.
“But it’s done and we’ll move on.”
He also added that the legal claim had taken a great toll on his loved ones.
“It’s hard for the family, it’s hard for a lot of things, but you have to get on with things.”
The 72-year-old revealed that he has been battling blood cancer since September 2023
It comes as the Magpies work on a major restructure of their management department after former deputy chief executive Graham Wright jumped ship to join Victorian rivals Carlton amid rumblings he and Kelly had parted ways.
Wright had chosen to part ways with the Magpies after a sabbatical abroad. The news broke in August and questions were raised about why it took so long for Collingwood to appoint his successor.
“We had the conversation with Jeff (Browne) and I at the time and he (Wright) was sitting in our office and said that during the period there there might be a situation where he gets opportunities elsewhere (and) he might not come back to Collingwood ),” Kelly said as he defended the club’s lengthy search for a new debuting CEO.
“Those conversations were had over the year, they had to go on a little longer than we wanted, for a whole bunch of reasons, that had nothing to do with Wrighty.”
Despite claims the pair were at odds, Kelly praised Wright.
‘Well done Wrighty, he has a great opportunity (at Carlton as deputy CEO, Cooky (Brian Cook) is a great CEO as a long term guy in the industry.
“But the thing is, he’s at Carlton now and we’re at Collingwood… last I checked the two don’t like each other that much.”
Meanwhile, ex-Swans director Charlie Gardiner has agreed a deal to join Collingwood as their new head of football, with Kelly claiming the new footy mastermind was a perfect fit for the Magpies.
Kelly (right) also praised former deputy CEO Graham Wright after he left the club to join Carlton
Former Swans chief Charlie Gardener will now join Collingwood as the club revamps its boardroom
“He just fitted in beautifully for us, he has great experience,” he told SEN.
“He has been at the Sydney Swans and I think we can all agree that they are a consistent performer and a tough market.
“Not only was he able to be involved with the list, which I think he did a great job with. But also (former Swans coach) John Longmire has a strong personality, so the relationship they’ve had (is impressive) and (CEO) Tom Harley is also an excellent person.
“He and I have gone through this process and he has been so professional, it just makes sense.”