Bans sought for referee criticism

Sideline bans for managers who slate referees could be on the way if GAA director general Páraic Duffy’s recommendation is put into practice.

Duffy proposes the form of punishment as a means of increasing the level of respect shown to match officials.

He writes: “It seems to me the criticism of referees by team officials is now considered routine and acceptable. Despite this, the instances of officials being held to account by disciplinary committees for questioning the integrity of referees are extremely rare.