Racism should be classed as 'aggressive foul', GAA motion says

GAA referees could soon have the power to send players off for racism offences.

A motion is being raised at next month's GAA Congress calling for racist abuse to be upgraded to the bracket of "aggressive fouls".

Under the proposals, a referee must have heard or witnessed the incident to issue a red card.

Westmeath minor manager Tommy Carr said he firmly supported the motion, but said some foreign players were "over-sensitive".

"There can be over-sensitivity by non-nationals…We're all well aware of the 'baldy centre-forward' or 'the langer from Cork'. All those terminologies are used, and I think we need to understand what racism is," he said.

International Officer with Sport Against Racism Ireland Ken McCue said: "First of all the term 'non-nationals' shouldn't be used - most people have nationality.

"At this stage in the development of our socierty, we should be able to recognise racism when we see or hear it."