Matthews keen to achieve ref justice

Assaulted former GAA referee Ray Matthews has agreed to become the interim president of the Gaelic Match Officials Association (GMOA).

The Antrim ex-official, who quit refereeing after the Ulster Council reduced punishments handed out to St Mary’s Rasharkin arising from an U21 game he officiated in last October, will work alongside interim secretary, Tipperary man Alan Nash who has founded the organisation.

The GMOA, which states it will be non-profit, aims to seek greater protection for match officials, review referees’ match fees and mileage as well as giving them a voice at Congress.

Matthews is primarily interested in the referees being defended.

“Until we get the whole thing organised and properly set up with democratic elections, I will be holding the position,” confirmed Matthews.

“An organisation like this is something we have been crying out for because of the politics of the referring world and the fear factor of not getting good matches if they complain about what has happened to them. They are hesitant to come forward. It’s not like the GPA because we’re about representing all referees especially club referees.”

Matthews appreciates his ordeal will bring attention to his new role and the organisation but has already experienced some opposition to his decision to help spearhead it.

“My profile is not the main reason. I fully endorse and believe in this. Because of what happened my face is out there. That’s the hand I’ve been dealt. But it’s strange. I know of a referees coordinator who asked hurling referees had they heard about the association and said, ‘Jesus, do you not think they could have picked a higher profile referee’.

“Already, they’re trying to rubbish it and put it down without knowing the benefits that could be coming to referees.”

Matthews earlier this week threw away his refereeing gear with a heavy heart. He believes he may have to rule out any possible return to officiating because his stance may offend GAA officials. However he is willing to take the risk.

“In my eyes, referees are being let down a lot,” he said before addressing his own trauma. “There wasn’t a more apt time or easier opportunity for the GAA to stop events like what happened to me occurring again and protect referees.

“Instead, they washed their hands of it.”

Croke Park recently asked the Ulster Council to review the St Mary’s appeal case which saw the council quash the number of suspensions handed down to the club by the Antrim County Board.

They reverted the case on the grounds that some evidence was not taken into consideration, although it’s understood not to be enough to change their decision.

The Antrim County Board had imposed bans on the club from all competitions above and not including minor grade but the decision was overruled by the Ulster Council.

While they remain suspended from the U21 championship, because of the club’s successful appeal they are now permitted to play in senior league and championship competitions.

“Seemingly, the man who put all the evidence together isn’t allowed to give evidence, which is stupid,” said Matthews. “Joe Edwards, chairman of the Antrim CCCC, did an excellent job in collecting all the evidence.

“The bugbears Croke Park have with the case are related to the processes but not to the actual incident. That is a failing of our association.

“Everyone seems to be getting an appeal but the one person who isn’t asked if they disagree with a decision is the referee which again is a failing.”

Four St Mary’s members were expelled from the GAA for their behaviour in the U21 game against Lamh Dearg in Ballymena after which Matthews was hospitalised.

Ten people in all received various bans. However, the Glenavy man believes more should have been suspended.

“A neutral witness said he couldn’t see me from the amount of people trying to kick me.”