Margalit managing director Michel Margalit told the National Indigenous Times last September that it was time the AFL “properly acknowledged the trauma former players experienced and compensate them appropriately”.

Margalit is also the firm behind a concussion class action against the AFL.

Kangaroos president Sonja Hood has asked the AFL to look at alternative forms of resolution in dealing with historical racism. Phil Krakouer remains in contact with North Melbourne and remains on cordial terms with the current board.

Hood last year invited Collingwood president Browne and his fellow director Jodie Sizer to address the Kangaroos’ board about the lessons from that club’s Do Better report.

Hood said on Thursday: “It was incredibly helpful in the way in which we were able to shape the work in our club, to ensure it’s a culturally safe place.

“Based on the work we did last year, we – and others – wrote to the AFL and asked them to come up with an industry-wide approach to dealing with historic racism. We will be pleased to work with them and provide our support on that work as it progresses.”

An AFL spokesman confirmed on Thursday that the racism class action had been expanded and the competition would fight the claims.

In a statement in March, the AFL said: “We fully acknowledge during our long history of the game there has been racism in Australian football and that players have been marginalised, hurt or discriminated against because of their race.

“And for that we have apologised and continue to apologise and will continue to act to address that harm.”

The statement added: “We do not agree with the claims that the VFL/AFL has been conducted negligently over the past 47 years and we will defend those claims.”

In March, Essendon voiced their support for their veteran coach and now director Sheedy, as well as former players. Sheedy strongly denied the allegations, describing them as “totally inaccurate” and “hurtful”. “My track record stands for itself in this regard,” he said.

The Essendon statement noted: “We must continue to learn and reflect on the past to ensure our game is free of any form of racism or discrimination.”

The class action is open to more than 1000 former VFL/AFL Indigenous players and their families. It comes as mediation talks between former Hawthorn players and their families who levelled racism allegations against the club, Alastair Clarkson, Chris Fagan and Jason Burt remain unresolved. Clarkson, Fagan, and Burt deny any wrongdoing.

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