The GAA says that it does not allow political statements.
GAA fans would have been tuned in to yesterday’s action at Croke Park as the Cork hurlers destroyed Dublin while Dean Rock’s late goal snatched a draw for Jim Gavin’s footballers.
The attention wasn’t just solely focused on the pitch though after referee David Gough, an openly gay man, was prevented form wearing a so-called ‘freedom’ wristband that was aimed at highlighting homophobia and his call for a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming marriage referendum during the Dublin v Tyrone match.
Meath referee Gough has been widely tipped as a future All-Ireland official, he’s also currently on the GAA ‘s panel of elite-referees, was prevented from making this symbolic gesture on the grounds that, “the GAA is apolitical and does not allow political gestures at our games”.
Head of media relations Alan Milton said, “it’s a black and white issue. The association is apolitical. Any member is allowed to have their own political views or opinions outside but Croke Park is not the place to make political gestures. We have been very consistent on this issue”.
Speaking with The Independent, the 31 year old schoolteacher said that he was “dismayed and disappointed” by the snub which, he said, “let down” the many gay members of the association. Gough was originally given permission on Friday afternoon to wear the band but it seems that a flurry of calls and politics made the association change their mind.
In the same piece, Gough’s planned gesture was apparently compared by the GAA with the unfurling of a Palestinian flag in the stands at Croke Park last year.
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