GAA moves to ‘defend and protect’ men in black

GROWING concern over what’s viewed as an unprecedented and unacceptable level of abuse of referees has forced the Management Committee to issue a code of ethics.

It's also directed at county officials who resort to public criticism, on the basis that they are operating double standards in relation to upholding the honour of referees at club level.

The policy, which reflects the views of Association President Sean Kelly, as well as the concerns of the Referees' Association and referees themselves, was agreed after a meeting of the Central Council at the weekend.