Players escape disciplinary action over hurley logo controversy
The three breached GAA guidelines on playing gear by displaying the Paddy Power logo on their hurleys reportedly for a sum of €750 each and seemed set to incur the wrath of the Games Administration Committee in Dublin this evening.
However the GAA yesterday deferred the matter stating categorically that "it is not on the agenda for tonight's meeting."
In any case, while there is provision in the rule for individual suspensions to be imposed, that couldn't happen in the short term. It would not be permissible within the time-frame remaining because players would first have to be given written notification of an impending penalty and are normally given three days notice to respond.
After a controversial week for the Association, a statement was issued yesterday clarifying elements surrounding the recent publicity in regard to players and personal endorsements.
"Contrary to the impression given in some quarters personal endorsements are allowed in respect of players. As late as the last Central Council meeting the facility to avail of endorsement was greatly enhanced and welcomed by players. It is however contingent on any such endorsement not being in conflict with county or national competition sponsorship.
"Personal endorsements specifically exclude playing gear. This is a feature of all major field game sports. The reasons for this are quite simple. It is impossible for any sporting organisation to effect team or competition sponsorship if competing "ambush" marketing is allowed as a principle."
The statement also dealt with suggestions that Paddy Power bookmakers should vacate their corporate box and Croke Park.
"Just as the suggestion in some quarters that players are being denied endorsement opportunities is spurious, so is the analogy made in regard to corporate boxes. The Corporate facilities, generally occupied by genuine supporters, were the most fundamental and key element in providing state of the art facilities in Croke Park for both players and spectators alike.
All the revenue accrued from Corporate Boxes has been reinvested in providing the hugely acclaimed Croke Park Stadium, which still carries a debt of €70 million."
"In fact, as articulated previously by President, Sean Kelly, the GAA would prefer if the bookmaking firm at the centre of this publicity vacated the box and accepted a refund as the principle, as distinct from the money involved is what is at issue," the statement added.
However, sources admit that Paddy Powers' release of players from their contractual obligation to use the branded hurleys has 'taking the sting' out of the issue.
Meanwhile, the bookmakers said they will continue to pursue such sponsorship policies, and indeed maintain their corporate box.
"There is nothing new in the statement as regards the sponsorship. We will still actively pursue sponsorship of this kind in the future, although the hurlers will not use the sponsored hurls on Saturday.
"As regards our corporate box, we still intend to bring our guests from the respective counties to our boxes for the weekend games," a spokesperson said.
Cork county board chairman Jim Forbes side was pleased that any consideration of breach of rules following payment to players for the use of branded hurleys in last Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final, was not on the agenda for tonight's meeting of the GAC in Croke Park.
"It gives the opportunity to everybody involved in Saturday's semi-final replay to concentrate on the upcoming game", he said.
Tonight's GAC meeting was already scheduled from last week and routine business, including a discussion of the National Leagues, is on the agenda.
It appears that for the first time in a long while, they will have no playing suspensions to impose.
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