Former Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has spoken for the first time since resigning from his post over a month ago.
McGuire appeared on Footy Classified on Wednesday night and has stood firm on his response to the club's 'Do Better' report.
"People took what I said the wrong way," he said.
"I've thought long and hard about this. How did I muck this up? How did people take this the wrong way? Clearly what I was saying was for 12 months we'd been working on the report.
"It is something that is a big part of my life and everyone's life, racism. We are working so hard on equality."
McGuire was crucified by the media for saying that it was a "proud" day for Collingwood in lieu of the findings of the report, which ultimately led to him stepping down as president.
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"Whether you get done for a misstep in a press conference, that's neither here or there. I was very proud that we had taken a step that nobody else has done," he said.
"When I spoke with the other directors, Jodie Sizer was strong that we should take a hold of this and be proud.
"I accept what I said. I'm not handing the blame to anybody else. We're proud of what we're trying to achieve and where we've got to... I look back on it now, we've made a bold step forward to try and do the right thing.
"A couple of days later I looked at it, it was going to be better if I get out of here and resign. Give the club fresh and clear air to do things."
McGuire also declared himself right to go for the year ahead after what has been a tough sabbatical for him personally.
"Of course I was sad, it was a tough couple of weeks," he said.
"Basically the next day one of my great heroes and friends Murray Weideman died. A week later, one of my best friends in life Michael Gudinski died.
"I was really, really sad. It effected me greatly, but I'm okay now because you get up dust yourself off and you go again."