GAA plan to give racism the red card

It has been arguably the GAA’s most gaping disciplinary loophole but straight red cards for incidents of racism on the field of play are finally coming.

Among the 63-strong list of motions which will be discussed and voted upon at next month’s Annual Congress is a proposal to instantly dismiss players who make racist comments.

Referees had already been somewhat upgraded in their powers following the introduction of the black card, which can be brandished for ‘abusive or provocative language or gestures’.