North Melbourne CEO Eugene Arocca has described attacks on the club’s partnership with World Vision Australia as ‘disappointing’ and ‘offensive’.

His strong stance comes after former directors John Nicholson and Peter de Rauch claimed the club was against pokies and gambling revenue in the Herald Sun on Tuesday.

“I think it’s a disgrace we have to defend a relationship we have with an organisation as highly regarded as World Vision Australia,” Arocca told kangaroos.com.au.

“World Vision helps more than 20 million people every year and provides critical relief, community development and addresses poverty throughout the world. We see this relationship as nothing but a positive step for our club and we are committed to working with this group to achieve some great outcomes on a broad scale.

“I need to reiterate for the avoidance of any doubt, this has nothing to do with pokies or gambling revenue and the North Melbourne Football Club has no issue whatsoever with any other club or sporting entity receiving revenue from such platforms.

“For those who sit on the outside to criticise this partnership, is disappointing and offensive.”

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott leapt to the defence of chairman James Brayshaw who was also targeted by the former directors.

“Let’s never forget that North Melbourne wouldn’t exist as it does today if it wasn’t for James Brayshaw. If you ever want to have a crack at James Brayshaw - it’s a free world and you can say whatever you like, but never forget we wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him.”