The AFL, Collingwood FC and racism. Will McGuire’s resignation bring real change?

Over recent decades the Australian Football League (AFL) has tried to make itself more relevant to a diverse, multi-cultural Australia. But earlier this week Collingwood Football president Eddie McGuire resigned after a report accused the club of systemic racism.

AFL multicultural ambassador Dr Nasya Bahfen (C) with fellow ambassadors and Western Bulldogs star Lin Jong (2nd Left) at an AFL multicultural event, Sep 2017. Source: Image courtesy Dr Nasya Bafen, Feb 2121.

Dr Nasya Bahfen is a senior lecturer in media and communications at La Trobe University and formerly a Multi-Cultural Ambassador for the AFL. She explains why Collingwood FC will need to change its culture, and not just the president, if it is fair dinkum about eliminating racism.

Listen to SBS Indonesian every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 3 pm.

Follow us on Facebook and catch us on podcasts.

And you can keep abreast of the latest information about the corona virus in your language at sbs.com.au/coronavirus

Has anything changed at Collingwood since Nicky Winmar was racially vilified at Victoria Park in 1993? Source: Image by Melbourne Streets Avant-garde/Creative Commons