The Central Council of the GAA has hit back today following recent criticism in relation to the current disciplinary system.
The Central Council have called for a change in culture and are requesting counties to hold special meetings, but have agreed on a number of motions at their meeting today also.
The Competitions Control Committee will now be able to request clarification when investigating incidents and can also consider offering referees videos of material that is relevant to incidents under investigation.
Officials who make derogatory comments in relation to games, officials and administrators will be dealt with in accordance with the rules.
The outcome of an appeal will not be made public in future until such times as the player in question accepts the penalty or indeed until the matter has been fully dealt with by the Central Hearings Committee.
Following recommendations from the Management Committee, the following motions were agreed by the Council:
1. It is agreed by Ard-Chomhairle that no system of discipline can be administered satisfactorily unless there is a universal acceptance that indiscipline cannot be tolerated. There must be a change of culture and mindset in terms of respect for authority, for the games officials, rules, procedures and structures. Central Council directs all units to ensure that all disciplinary issues within counties are dealt with expeditiously and in accordance with rules. Provincial Councils have been instructed to hold meetings with their counties to discuss the matters referred to hereunder.
2. It is also acknowledged and recognised that it is a fundamental right of any player/unit to avail fully of the terms and parameters of the disciplinary system from a premise of natural justice and acceptance of the raison d'etre of the system.
3. Ard-Chomhairle directs that a range of initiatives to educate members and the general public on the operation of the disciplinary system take place in the coming weeks.
4. In accordance with the current Rule 144 (e), Ard-Chomhairle directs that the Central Competitions Control Committee may make a written request for clarification from a referee where the Committee is in the course of investigating a possible infraction. In that context the CCCC can choose to provide the referee with reliable and unedited video evidence of the possible infraction. In the event that the referee confirms his decision no further action may be taken, but if he states that he did not adjudicate on a particular case or that he did not deal with it appropriately the case may be pursued further.
5. That procedures in relation to an appeal to the Central Appeals Committee are re-affirmed as follows by Ard-Chomhairle. Arrangements for an appeal are only confirmed once an appeal has been received in writing by the Secretary of the CAC, an oral hearing has been requested and all the parties to the hearing have been officially notified of arrangements.
6. Ard-Chomhairle reaffirms that any County Committee Official, Team Official(s) or players who make derogatory comments in relation to Games, Officials and Administrators shall be dealt with in accordance with Rule.
7. The Ard-Chomhairle directs that the CCCC will no longer make notification of proposed suspensions public until the player/unit has accepted the proposed penalty or the matter has been fully dealt with by the CHC.
8. Ard-Chomhairle agrees that a group will be asked to review the current disciplinary system at the end of this year.
9. Ard-Chomhairle directs that a Code of Conduct for officials/players at all levels of our Association be established.
The Cork County Board have accepted the proposals from the CCCC in relation to Qualifier games for this year's Guinness Hurling Championship.
