Doyle accuses GAA of ‘censoring’ team-mate Masterson

WEXFORD defender Aindreas Doyle has accused the GAA of attempting to censor his team-mate Anthony Masterson.

He also said the only reason the goalkeeper is apologising for his comments about referee Derek Fahy is to ensure he can play for his club Castletown in the county championship. Masterson has been forced to retract his post-match remarks about Fahy’s performance in Wexford’s All-Ireland fourth round qualifier defeat to Limerick last month.

The GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee sent a letter to Masterson ordering him to apologise or risk an eight-week playing ban.

News of the demanded apology has infuriated Wexford’s team-mates who took to Twitter to express their views.

Wexford full-back Graeme Molloy tweeted: “What a F**king Joke! Forcing a player to apologise for telling the truth! #GetYourActTogether #PlayersSecondBest.”

Doyle tweeted: “#GAA silent when players get slated on TV/papers. We are scrutinised by every man and his dog surely we as individuals can have an opinion.”

Given the opportunity to expand on his views, Doyle claimed the GAA were attempting to gag Masterson.

“I’m not pushing for professionalism but it has to be realised we’re in this position purely in a voluntary capacity,” said Doyle.

“The GAA says nobody makes any money out of the games but that is false. Plenty of people make money out of them.

“I don’t see the GAA standing up for players. Martin Clarke’s brother (John) quit inter-county football because of the abuse he got on internet forums but did the GAA defend him?

“That was the main point of my tweet — players are getting slated all the time and the GAA are doing nothing about it.

“Referees are getting good expenses but they’re not allowed to be criticised whereas we are. They’re trying to censor Anthony.”

Doyle believes Masterson is only retracting his comments for the sake of playing for his club.

“Anthony’s been surprised by the reaction. He’s been in and out from under washing machines all day taking phone-calls from the media. That’s a nine-to-five job he’s trying to do.

“He’s a very good Castletown clubman. That’s why he’s really apologising. He wants to be involved. If that’s what it takes, then that’s how he’s going to do it.”

Doyle finds it difficult to understand why people can readily express their opinions of players and yet they, even as amateurs, are prevented from doing so. “Anthony is being grilled by the GAA for something he said about the referee in the heat of the moment and with a camera put in his face.

“Players are so accessible these days. We go to work but anyone can ring our offices or come up to us on the street, which is fair enough, but then the GAA turn around and say Anthony can’t express his opinion, which is strange. Everyone I’ve spoken to has come to the same conclusion on what happened and they can’t all be wrong.”

Masterson was also supported on Twitter by former Offaly hurler turned pundit Daithi Regan: “I hope A masterson does not apologise, too many crap decisions been made, our top Gaa stars are not commodities, should not be treat as such.”

In yesterday’s Irish Examiner, Masterson confirmed he would apologise for the remarks. A Wexford County Board source confirmed the letter of apology will be sent this week.