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.

“One reason may be that the infraction of making ‘derogatory comments in relation of game officials’ is currently dealt with in our Match Regulations under a charge of ‘misconduct considered to have discredited the Association’, for which the minimum suspension is eight weeks. The penalty is deemed by many to be too severe, which may explain the reluctance to prefer charges.

“However, criticism that attacks the integrity of a referee should not go unpunished. A more appropriate sanction in the Match Regulations would be the withdrawal if sideline privileges for a number of games.

“I believe this would be an effective deterrent and would encourage more measured post-match remarks by teams officials. I believe, too, that Competitions Control committees would be more likely to address the issue of unacceptable criticism if such a penalty was available to them under rule.”

Duffy has also given his support to Hawk-Eye despite its error in last year’s All-Ireland MHC semi-final between Galway and Limerick. He revealed Thurles would be the next venue like to benefit from the score technology.

“Even at the mid-point of the two-year trial, there are obvious advantages to the use of Hawk-Eye. Decisions are relayed quickly, and the use of Hawk-Eye clearly appeals to our supporters. Ideally, the use of Hawk-Eye would be extended to all grounds where key games are played. Cost will prove an inhibiting factor, but the introduction of the system in a number of our major grounds over the next few years should be explored as a matter of urgency.”

The director general said Limerick were right to pursue their grievances following their early score, which was incorrectly ruled a wide by Hawk-Eye.

However, he added about the extra-time game: “There is no guarantee that, if the point had been awarded at the time, they would have won the game. And they did not lose the game as a result of the Hawk-Eye error.”