The GAA's Central Council has given the go-ahead for several new changes following a meeting at Croke Park today. Central to the new procedures will be the appointment of a standby linesman for Intercounty Championship games whose role will be to indicate the amount of injury/lost time left in a game. The official will control substitution zones which have now been approved, while he will also be expected to operate the blood rule.
Meanwhile, it was agreed that when team officials are suspended they will take no part in match day activities. With recent suspensions having very little impact, the GAA acted on a recommendation by the Games Administration Committee to impose greater punishment on offenders. In a statement released by the GAA today, Central Council has decided that in future, "where a Team Manager or official is under suspension, he shall not be allowed to play any part in team affairs on a match day. He shall be excluded from the pitch enclosure, dressing-room and dressing-room area and shall be accommodated in the stand, but not in seats close to the team dugouts. The Coiste Chontae shall ensure that he does not act as a spokesman for the team or engage in media interviews on behalf of the team while under suspension."
Filed by Shane Murray
