The Gaelic Players' Association has urged the GAA authorities to adopt a "conciliatory approach" towards resolving any difficulties surrounding the issue of the display of sponsorship logos on hurleys.
Wexford's Damien Fitzhenry and Paul Codd along with Cork's Sean Óg Ó hAilpín could be in line for lengthy suspensions after sporting 'Paddy Power' brandings on their hurleys during Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final. The case concerning the trio will be discussed at a meeting of the GAA's Games Administration Committee later this week.
GAA President Sean Kelly has said he will look into severing all ties with the bookmakers, which could include ending the company's tenure of their Croke Park corporate box.
However, in a statement GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell said: "Whilst the GPA has been aware that sponsorship of this nature is not strictly speaking a breach of playing rules, we have not actively sought out or promoted exploitation in this area."
"Players have been advertising GAA sponsors for over a decade now with little or no compensation so it is entirely understandable that opportunities such as this would eventually emerge. We would therefore call on the authorities to view the players actions in this context and adopt a conciliatory approach towards resolving any difficulties surrounding the issue."
Filed by Rob Wright
