GAA U-turn sees referee banned from wearing equality wristband

Top GAA referee David Gough was last night prevented from wearing a rainbow wristband in support of marriage equality when he took charge of the league encounter between Dublin and Tyrone at Croke Park

Mr Gough wanted to wear the 'freedom' band to show his support for the Yes campaign ahead of the upcoming referendum on marriage equality, and told the Sunday Independent that he felt 'disappointed, dismayed and let down' by the decision. Mr Gough, 31, is the GAA's first openly gay referee and claims he was originally given permission for the gesture before approval was withdrawn at the eleventh hour, with the association standing firm behind their policy against political gestures of any sort. 'It's a black and white issue. The association is apolitical. Any member is allowed to have their own political views or opinions outside but Croke Park is not the place to make political gestures. We have been very consistent on this issue,' GAA media chief Alan Milton told the Sindo. 'Once the referendum was called on same-sex civil marriage it became a political issue going before the people in a vote.' Mr Gough said: 'In the current climate it was simply my gesture of support for same-sex civil marriage but mostly to raise the issue of equality and homophobia in sport. They have over-analysed and over-politicised a very simple gesture.'