Collingwood president Eddie McGuire isn’t worried about the appearance of Magpies star Dane Swan at a fundraiser promoted and attended by former Melbourne underworld figure Mick Gatto on Tuesday night.
Swan spoke at the event, which took place at a Coburg pizza restaurant owned by Gatto’s brother John, and also posed for photos with attendees. Speaking from Italy, McGuire told Melbourne radio station Triple M that he had no problem with Swan taking part in the function.
“I’m not being flippant about it, I’ll talk to Swanny when I get back or when he gets up this morning at some stage just to check out exactly what’s going on,” McGuire said.
“As long as Swannie is walking the tightrope correctly, as long as he informs people what is going on and as long as he doesn’t get himself in trouble then I don’t see too much of a problem with this situation.
“Dane Swan is a boy from Broadmeadows. His dad Billy’s a Painter and Docker, his cousin Aaron Ramsey is in the building trade, and you know people as you go through life. If you grow up in Broadmeadows, you’re going to know colourful identities.”
Gatto told ABC Radio that he didn’t understand the controversy surrounding Swan’s appearance. “It’s never a problem until the media makes it a problem,” he said. “I went there, I bought a table, I filled a table with elderly friends of mine, not underworld figures. We had a nice night out, we listened to Swannie talking about footy or whatever.
“What’s he (Swan) done wrong? He’s there doing a fundraiser. Unfortunately I am tainted and it’s going to be that way for the rest of my life. That’s the way it is and there’s not much I can do about it. I walk with my head held high. I believe I’ve paid my dues. I’ll continue to walk with my head held high.”
Collingwood takes on the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
