GAA to get tough on abuse

Racial abuse and homophobic taunting will soon be a straight red card offence in Gaelic games.

That’s the belief of European board secretary Tony Bass whose Dutch club, Maastricht Gaels, have jointly submitted a motion on the issue to the GAA’s upcoming Annual Congress.

Maastricht’s initial motion was merged with one from the GAA’s Inclusion/Integration Committee to form proposal number 54 which will be voted on by delegates in Derry next month. The joint motion proposes an amendment to the current rule setting out the Association’s outlawing of anti-sectarian and anti-racist behaviour.