In a recent development, Collingwood Football Club CEO Craig Kelly has reportedly reached an out-of-court settlement with a former employee who accused him of wrongful dismissal and making racist comments. The club confirmed the settlement in a joint statement issued on Monday, with both Collingwood and the former employee, Mark Cleaver, agreeing to resolve the legal matter without further public statements. The statement emphasized the importance of respecting Cleaver’s privacy moving forward.
The dispute arose from allegations made earlier this year by Cleaver, who accused Kelly of using racial slurs and engaging in inappropriate physical behavior. Among the serious claims, Cleaver stated that Kelly had made offensive remarks about the club’s “culture room,” which were said to involve derogatory references to Indigenous people. Additionally, Cleaver claimed that Kelly had jokingly suggested sending a “Free Palestine” sign to a Jewish colleague.
Court documents further revealed disturbing allegations, including claims that Kelly had referred to Aunty Carol, an Aboriginal elder, using offensive language. Aunty Carol is the wife of Alan Thorpe, the CEO of Dardi Munwurro, an organization that had partnered with Collingwood since 2017. However, this partnership was severed following the controversy surrounding the allegations. Kelly was also accused of making crude jokes about placing a “live possum” in a designated space for Indigenous players, further intensifying the seriousness of the accusations.
The case reached a critical point in June when Cleaver reportedly demanded a settlement amount of at least $250,000 to drop his claim. Mediation between the two parties led to a counteroffer from Collingwood of approximately $20,000, though details of any financial compensation from the final settlement remain unclear. The outcome of this legal dispute has sparked ongoing debate, with many questioning the broader implications for both Collingwood Football Club and its leadership.
Though the matter has now been resolved, the incident has cast a shadow over the reputation of the Collingwood CEO and raised important discussions about workplace culture, respect, and accountability in sports organizations.