Flynn faces sanction over outburst

A Wexford footballer could face heavy sanctions from the GAA over contentious remarks relating to Anthony Nolan’s officiating of Sunday’s All-Ireland qualifier contest between Wexford and Laois.

The Wicklow referee was booed off the field following Wexford’s home defeat to Laois, and Wexford half-back Adrian Flynn yesterday tweeted his annoyance at Nolan’s handling of the tie.

A YouTube video uploaded by Wexford GAA highlighted 13 second-half frees awarded against Aidan O’Brien’s side and Flynn shared the link on his twitter account, questioning the decisions that went against the Model County. Secretary of the national referees committee Pat Doherty declined to comment on Flynn’s remarks when contacted by the Irish Examiner. Wexford GAA chiefs were also remaining tight-lipped last night.

The minimum suspension for derogatory comments in relation of game officials is eight weeks.

Back in 2011, Wexford footballer Anthony Masterson was forced to apologise for his outburst against referee Derek Fahy. The goalkeeper was scathing in his criticism of Fahy’s performance in the county’s All-Ireland qualifier clash against Limerick.

In his report to Congress earlier this year, Director General of the GAA Padraic Duffy called on the association to introduce new measures to deal with those who question the integrity of referees.

“It seems to me the criticism of referees by team officials is now considered routine and acceptable,” said Duffy at that time.

“Despite this, the instances of officials being held to account by disciplinary committees for questioning the integrity of referees are extremely rare. Criticism that attacks the integrity of a referee should not go unpunished.”