Motion set to broaden discrimination parameters
Like Wexford and Cavan, the European County Board put forward a motion pertaining to on-field acts of prejudice.
However, all were dismissed as they were deemed changes to playing rules, which are only up for discussion every five years, the next time being 2015.
Under the Football Review Committee’s proposals, a player found by a referee to have used abusive or provocative language or gestures to an opponent will be issued with a black card.
However, the proposed change to rule 1.12 of the GAA’s Official Guide will expand the parameters of what constitutes discrimination, which already covers racism and sectarianism, to include acts of a homophobic and anti-Traveller nature.
It is believed any player, official or spectator found to have made such comments or gestures will be deemed to have brought the GAA into disrepute and face stiffer penalties of anything up to a year’s suspension or expulsion from the organisation.
“Basically, it will be a motion that outlaws any abuse based on discriminatory principles,” said an insider.
Although based on motions such as Europe’s, the proposal is officially coming from the GAA’s national inclusion and integration committee and will be signed off by GAA director general Páraic Duffy.
Sectarian abuse will continue to be mentioned in the proposed rule change.
Last year, Armagh complained that a number of their players, including Ciarán McKeever, were subjected to sectarian taunting at their Division 1 game with Laois in O’Moore Park.
Last month, Kilcoo’s Aidan Brannigan was handed a four-month suspension for his involvement in a racist abuse incident involving Crossmaglen’s Aaron Cunningham in December’s Ulster club SFC final.
A Kilcoo club member was also banned from the GAA for life arising from the game.
Earlier this week, Cunningham’s father, Joey, revealed his son had been disappointed with the Ulster Council’s handling of the case.
