GAA proposes 'black card' system for 2014

The GAA is proposing the introduction of a 'black card' to gaelic football.

Following-on from last month's rule changes proposed by the Football Review Committee, the association has responded to the criticism of one of the more controversial suggestions, which would have seen a player having to be automatically substituted after a yellow card.

Instead, the GAA have now proposed a list of specific fouls and aggressive behaviour towards match officials, which will merit a 'black card', that would see the offending player automatically replaced, while the current yellow and red card system will remain in place.

The proposed list of infractions includes:

To deliberately pull down an opponent;

To deliberately trip an opponent with hand, arm or foot;

To deliberately body collide with an opponent after he has played the ball away or for the purpose of taking him out of the movement of play;

To use abusive or provocative language or gestures to players;

To remonstrate in an aggressive manner with a match official.

In addition, after a team has received three 'black cards' any further offences of a similar nature will see that player going off without a substitution.

The proposals will now go before this year's GAA Congress and will be brought into place at the start of 2014 if they are approved.