Margalit Injury Lawyers has filed a class action in the Supreme Court of Victoria against the Australian Football League (AFL) on behalf of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons who, from May 1980 to date, were VFL/AFL players that experienced physical and/or verbal racist abuse whilst participating in the AFL Competition. The claim is also brought on behalf of relatives of those players.
It has been alleged that (amongst other things) the AFL failed to enforce and implement rules and policies to prohibit racial vilification. It is also alleged that the AFL permitted racial vilification to occur without punishment or penalty and failed to provide a safe (including a culturally safe) environment.
Margalit Injury Lawyers is committed to fighting for the rights of all persons who have been affected by racism in the course of their AFL careers. We invite all affected persons to contact our office to share their stories with our team. All enquiries will be treated as strictly confidential and we provide free, initial advice. Call now on (03) 9133 0288.
Download Group Proceeding Summary Statement
Download Amended Statement of Claim
Case Update
On 9 October 2025, an Amended Statement of Claim was filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria.
The changes made by the Amended Statement of Claim include:
- The joinder of Nicky Winmar as a co-lead plaintiff to the proceeding, alongside Phil Krakouer; and
- The discontinuation of the following claims under the cover of the class action:
- claims of racial abuse in the VFL/AFL during the period of 11 June 1975 to 30 April 1980;
- claims on behalf of ‘persons of colour, meaning people who are not white’ and who are not Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander persons; and
- claims on behalf of persons who were engaged by the AFL as an umpire, official or other staff.
Any persons who may be affected by the changes to the Statement of Claim should seek legal advice without delay. We otherwise confirm that the case is still proceeding as a class action and is actively progressing.
Who is eligible to join the case as a group member?
- First Nations AFL Players – An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person who played in the VFL/AFL between May 1980 and 9 October 2025 and experienced racial abuse while playing VFL/AFL (‘AFL Player Group Member’).
- Family Members of AFL Players – A family member or someone in a close kinship relationship with an ‘AFL Player Group Member’ who suffered harm in connection with that player experiencing racial abuse in the VFL/AFL.
- Deceased Group Members – An executor, administrator, beneficiary or person with an interest in the estate of a deceased person who would be an AFL Player Group Member and/or Family Group Member.
- Dependants – A dependant of an AFL Player Group Member, Family Group Member and/or Deceased Group Member.
Group members are still able to join to the class action by contacting our team.
The Court has recently made Orders for a judicial mediation to occur after March 2026. We therefore encourage potential group members to consider joining the class action before mediation so that they can be included in any settlement.
If you want to join the case or are unsure whether or not you qualify as a group member, you can speak to one of our team members on (03) 9133 0288. All enquiries will be treated with utmost confidentiality and sensitivity.
Acknowledgement of Country
Margalit Injury Lawyers acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work, live and engage, the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and Bunurong Boon Wurrung peoples of the Eastern Kulin. We recognise the continuing connection to the lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present.
