AFL club St Kilda has apologised to Robert Muir and admitted to “grave errors in the past” after the former player revealed details of the racism he endured throughout his football career.
Muir opened up in an interview with the ABC, which published a feature article on Sunday revealing the 66-year-old’s story of persecution.
In one of the many examples of horrendous treatment he received, Muir said he was urinated on by one of St Kilda’s star players after walking into the showers following his first training session with the club in 1974.
Muir, who was 20 at the time, said when he looked to his new teammates for support, they simply laughed at him.
He also spoke of a history of violence and alcohol abuse that have affected him since he was a child, as well as football-related injuries that continue to impact his day-to-day life.
Muir said his interactions with St Kilda have felt impersonal since he retired, despite his attempts to reconnect with the club.
He also felt forgotten by the AFL, saying he hasn’t once been invited to an Indigenous event.
St Kilda CEO Matt Finnis acknowledged the club’s past failure to adequately support Muir, who played 68 senior VFL games for the club from 1974 to 1984.
“Reading about the impact of racism on Robert Muir’s life in today’s ABC article will no doubt be confronting for everyone involved in football, as it was for me personally,” Finnis said in a club statement.
“We admire Robert’s courage to speak out about the racism he has endured and lack of support provided by our club when he needed it most.
“We apologise unreservedly to Robert and his family and are humbled that he continues to love our club.”
Finnis said the Saints are committed to assisting Muir.
“We will reach out to Robert to apologise personally, to provide the necessary support now and in the future, and to ensure he feels the respect and sense of belonging he deserves as one of the St Kilda Football Club’s pioneering Indigenous footballers,” Finnis said.
“We have much to learn from Robert’s story and are committed to rebuilding his relationship with St Kilda and our game at his pace.”
In response to the ABC article, a GoFundMe page was created for fans to donate money towards a shoulder operation for Muir.
Muir was suspended for a total of 22 matches at senior level during his time at the Saints.
Many of those incidents were the result of Muir reacting to the vile racial abuse directed at him from opposition players and fans.
He was often spat on and had bottles hurled at him.
Muir said he wants people to know that he doesn’t like the nickname ‘Mad Dog’, which he has been unable to shake for almost 50 years.
(C) AAP 2020
