Collingwood apologises for 1993 racist abuse of AFL star Nicky Winmar

Thirty years after Nicky Winmar’s famous stand against racism, Collingwood have formally apologised to the St Kilda champion and his teammate Gilbert McAdam for the abuse directed at them.

Winmar revealed this week he was still hurt by the events that occurred at Victoria Park in April 1993, when he and McAdam were subjected to a torrent of racist abuse by Magpies fans.

It led to Winmar’s powerful stance, when he lifted his jumper and pointed to the colour of his skin to declare, “I’m proud to be black”.

A week after Winmar’s act of pride, Collingwood’s then president Allan McAllister said he had no issue with Indigenous folk - with an offensive caveat.

“As long as they conduct themselves like white people, well, off the field, everyone will admire and respect … as long as they conduct themselves like human beings, they will be alright,” McAllister said.

Collingwood, St Kilda and the AFL worked to deliver a respectful acknowledgement of the shameful episode before Sunday’s round-five contest between the two clubs at Adelaide Oval.

“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,” Collingwood said in a statement released on Sunday.

“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.

“Collingwood also apologises for the appalling comments made by its most senior official in the days following that game.

“To go back and reflect on where we got things wrong is important to us and we will continue to listen and learn as we progress our club.”

The Victoria Park episode