North Melbourne great Phil Krakouer leads seven Indigenous former footballers in landmark racism class action against AFL
- Class action launched against AFL over alleged racism
- It involved seven native stars, including Phil Krakouer
- Kangaroos great said an apology ‘simply isn’t enough’
- AFL stated that all ‘formal correspondence will be reviewed’
Decorated North Melbourne half-forward Phil Krakouer is among a group of seven Indigenous ex-footballers who have launched a landmark class action lawsuit against the AFL over alleged racial abuse arising from their playing days.
Documents officially filed with the Supreme Court on Friday accuse the code of failing to protect players from alleged continued racist insults during their careers.
Krakouer said News Corp said it was a relief to finally be heard and that an apology “is not enough.”
“Racism has been swept under the rug for too long,” he said.
“For decades, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people of color have been racially abused while playing AFL, and we feel they (AFL) sat back and watched it all pass.
Phil and Jim Krakouer were fan favorites with the Kangaroos between 1982 and 1989
Phil Krakouer is among a group of seven Indigenous ex-footballers who have launched a historic class action against the AFL over alleged racist abuse resulting from their playing time.
“We signed up to play football, not to be racially abused. It goes so much further than sledding.”
Margalit Injury Lawyers – who have launched a separate lawsuit with the league over concussion – confirmed the class action covers AFL and VFL players who were victims of alleged racist abuse between 1975 and 2022.
The racist abuse the players suffered was extreme,” said director Michel Margalit.
‘Not just words, but disgusting physical acts such as spitting and violence.
“The AFL was aware of this racist abuse and, as custodian of the code, took no decisive action to protect players.
‘Many of our clients have been left with lasting trauma.’
AFL spokesperson Jay Allen said The age As of Friday evening, the league had not received any paperwork, but if formal correspondence is submitted, it will be reviewed.
The siblings joined the club from Western Australia in 1982 and entertained countless football fans with their athleticism
Krakouer scored 224 goals in 141 appearances before spending two seasons at Footscray
The class action follows the report into historical claims of racism at Hawthorn Football Club between 2010 and 2016.
Coaches Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt were later cleared of any wrongdoing, but families at the center of the investigation are making claims to the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Krakouer, now 63, joined the Kangaroos in 1982 and scored 224 goals in 141 appearances.
His equally talented brother Jim also joined the club from Claremont in Western Australia and was a fan favourite.