This was a Saturday when players did not give interviews, either to journalists or to television stations, on the back of an expenses row with the GAA.
As revealed by the GPA, The “majority” of GAA players have not received any expenses since the resumption of training last December and that’s why the players representative body encouraged their members to make a stand.
In a statement put together by the organisation’s CEO Tom Parsons, they also claimed that, while a reduction in the mileage rate and other provisions was agreed for pandemic times, the agreement was that it would be re-instated upon the resumption of normality. It hasn’t yet been, and with the GPA and Croke Park at a stand-off, players are effectively on strike.
They will play the games, but according to the GPA, they will not take part in promotional activities such as interviews. A number of managers also backed the players’ stance, in refusing to give interviews to journalists before or after the games.
“In 2020 and 2021 the GPA accepted a reduction in provisions around travel expenses, gear and footwear while the GAA’s financial situation was uncertain,” Parsons’ note to members said.
“The GPA agreed to do this in good faith with the GAA on the basis that a return to normality would see a reinstatement of the 2019 charter provisions at a minimum,”
“The GPA is extremely disappointed that the GAA’s position at the start of 2022 was to continue with the cost-saving mechanisms, for example, players to receive a reduced mileage rate of 50c and to continue to cap players to be only permitted to claim expenses for three sessions per week, resulting in all other scheduled sessions being at the cost of players.”
“There needs to be a complete reset by the GAA when it comes to the respect shown to inter-county players.”
Just finished commentating Armagh v Kildare. This weekend there will be no post-match interviews. Players are all on effective strike over row with GAA & players expenses. Big issue moving forward- with more to come
It hasn’t been a positive week for GAA administration
— Thomas Niblock (@thomasniblock) March 12, 2022
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