Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire is refusing to pick sides in the club’s board stoush.
Former Channel Nine boss Jeff Browne has confirmed his push for the presidency, while incumbent leader Mark Korda has said he will stand his ground.
When asked if he had any stake or role in Browne’s push, as reported by the Herald Sun, McGuire strongly denied it.
“I’m sick of being called a liar. I’m sick of it,” McGuire told Footy Classified.
“I gave 23 years of my life to the Collingwood Football Club and everything I’ve ever done was for the benefit of the Collingwood Football Club. If I thought I had more to benefit the club, I would still be the president.
“If you read a story, whether it’s by Michael Gleeson or by Michael Warner and it has anything to do with me being involved in any faction or any push at the Collingwood Football Club, then you know that reporter is a liar.
“I’m not involved in the footy club in anyway. I speak to people every week. Have I spoken to Jeff Browne; yes I have. Have I spoken to Mark Korda; yes I have.
“Have I helped with sponsorships in the last month at Collingwood and the AFL; yes I do. Why? Because I love football.”
McGuire added that he would not be endorsing either candidate at this stage.
“I’m not buying into it. I know I still hold too much weight as far as the members are concerned,” he said.
“I’m not blind to the situation and I’m not going to get dragged into it.
“What breaks my heart is that for 23 years none of this happened at Collingwood and now unfortunately it is and now we need to get to a resolution and the way it should be done is I would love to see Jeff Browne and Mark Korda sit down one more time and try and work it out and work out what is best for Collingwood.”
Browne will need an Extraordinary General Meeting to be called to force a spill of the board.
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