GAA code of conduct formalises power to expel members

The GAA is to formalise a code of conduct for players, match officials, parents and mentors, with expulsion from the Association the ultimate sanction for transgressors.

The Association’s Central Council heard presentations from its Code of Conduct workgroup last weekend and will consider that workgroup’s report at its next meeting on February 27.

The workgroup describes the code as “a basic set of principles that establishes acceptable standards of behaviour for members, officers, players, parents/guardians, mentors, supporters, match officials, units and teams in addition to the requirements of rules applying to members.”

The proposals from the workgroup which were submitted to Central Council stress the amateur ethos of the GAA but also specifies that respect must be shown to and by GAA members, with stringent sanctions suggested for transgressions. For instance, the proposals envisage clubs and counties alike will establish committees to deal with alleged breaches. However, only a national committee will have power to expel a member from the Association.

“In matters pertaining to the Code of Conduct,” the proposals state, “a club or county code of Conduct Committee shall not have the power to expel a member/members from Cumann Lúthchleas Gael. Such action may only be considered and taken by the national code of conduct committee and may be subject to appeal to the national code of conduct/code of best practice appeals panel.”

The workgroup accepts that not all situations will necessitate such serious action: “Certain alleged breaches of the code may be dealt with in an informal manner at club or county level.

“It is envisaged that the members appointed to all GAA Code of Conduct Committees (GAA CCC) shall be given the necessary training to carry out their tasks in a fair and just manner.”

While most observers expect these provisions to relate to matches, the proposals also state: “Certain actions by a member of the Association in the public or private domain may be alleged to be unbefitting of a member of the Association or may be deemed to have harmed the reputation of the Association.”

County boards have been invited to make submissions on the matter before February 2.