Peter Canavan says the GAA should be very wary about the potential introduction of a Television Match Official (TMO) for football and hurling.
A workgroup set up by GAA president Larry McCarthy at Congress 2023 presented a preliminary report on the use of a TMO in Gaelic games at the weekend.
That will now be given to Central Council for feedback before the report is finalised.
Speaking on Allianz League Sunday, two-time All-Ireland winner with Tyrone Peter Canavan outlined his concerns over what the possible introduction of such technology could have on both codes.
Canavan used examples from this weekend's league matches to suggest that if the technology were in place, referee Mark McNally may have changed his mind in relation to sending Tyrone’s Conn Kilpatrick off against Roscommon.
Likewise in Tralee, in a one-point defeat to Derry, Kerry full-back Jason Foley was penalised for touching the ball on the ground when he appeared to make contact as it bounced off the turf.
"Does the TMO inform the referee to come over and look at the screen?" he asked.
"You see the controversy that VAR has brought to the Premier League, and they are doing it for the right reasons to get the correct decisions, but they have made a hames of the game in trying to do so, much to the frustration of players and supporters.
"The GAA would need to be very reluctant that we don’t go down that path."
The GAA brought in HawkEye technology back in 2013 to help avoid mistakes involving the awarding (or disallowing) of points in both football or hurling that can be difficult for umpires to call confidently.
RTÉ Sport understands that, even though the report is yet to be finalised, any introduction of technology to Gaelic games would only be in certain circumstances.
"Referees have to maximise what is around them and the use of officials," Canavan added.
"At the minute the rule states that the linesman can't contact the referee during play, after a serious altercation has taken place until there is a break in play.
"Let’s change that to begin with. Umpires should be there to help referees."
"This is the last thing referees need..."
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) January 28, 2024
It's been a tough couple of weeks for the men in black...
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The six-time All-Star also spoke in relation to fitness concerns raised recently regarding inter-county referees.
Only 19 of the 42 inter-county referees succeeded in passing pre-season fitness tests ahead of the Allianz Football League, with 10 more unable to perform the tests for various reasons.
The association has said it "will reflect on the testing process", with three-time All-Ireland hurling final referee Fergal Horgan insisting the tests were no longer fit for purpose.
Canavan however says it sends a message to officials.
"While it is disappointing that so many didn't pass the test, at least there is accountability there," he said.
"It’s not a wink and a nod and let you away with it.
"It doesn’t look good, but it’s a message to the referees, if you are not up to that standard, you are not going to referee the games."
