RACISM IN THE GAA

I'm not trying to be smart but that belongs on the abuse of referees thread and is from 8 years ago.

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Tipperary county board condemn racial abuse of Wexford's Lee Chin (irishexaminer.com)

Wexford chairman Micheal Martin has said a full investigation is under way into the "appalling" racist abuse of Lee Chin during an inter-county challenge match against Tipperary in Carrick-on-Suir on Saturday.

A supporter aimed the abuse at Chin in the closing stages of the match, with the referee subsequently blowing it up early as Wexford players angrily confronted the spectator in question.

Tipp, Wexford and the GPA all subsequently released statement condemning the incident, with Martin confirming that discussions have been taking place over the weekend in relation to the next course of action.

"It's been widely seen at this stage that there were comments of a racial nature made towards our captain Lee Chin," he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland.

"I think wisely at that stage, the referee called time. I would say we in Wexford are proud of the reaction of our players. I think they called out the action very promptly.

"It’s been widely acknowledged since that what happened was appalling, it was wrong and there’s no place for it in sport or society."

Asked what steps Wexford would take next, Martin replied: "I’ve been talking to the chairman of Tipperary on a number of occasions since.

"It's important due process does take place and that there’s an investigation… I would like to see it done quickly."

"Tipperary GAA and ourselves have taken it very seriously. We’re also liaising with Croke Park and an investigation has already commenced I would say and is progressing."

In Congress at February, a new anti-racism rule was passed. Any act, deed, word or gesture of a racist nature, now carries a 48-week suspension. A repeat infraction carries 96 weeks.

Martin added: "The rules of the GAA did change at a recent Congress in regards to this particular area, so it is quite defined in relation to the process that will take place, but an investigation will take place now.

"It’s important due process does take place and that there’s an investigation… I would like to see it done quickly.

"I don’t want to propose specific suspensions here because that would be to prejudice this particular investigation that’s ongoing at the moment but there is a number of options open to the committee up to expulsion from the association depending on how the severity of the particular incident.

"I spoke to Lee yesterday. It’s important here to consider a number of factors. Lee first of all, and his family because generally when anything is said to players of any nature it’s their family member who will take it to heart more.

"Players, to a degree are used to this, not that they should be used to it. Lee has spoken previously about this.

"He’s also spoken about the importance of challenging this type of behaviour, not just for himself but for the players who follow in his footsteps."

On The Sunday Game, analysts Anthony Daly and Liam Sheedy said the GAA must come down hard on the perpetrator.

"The association have to take a hard look at this," said Sheedy. "There's youngs kids and a lot of people at the match, it's gone viral on social media, so its out there. People do get heated and excited at matches but you cannot condone that type of behaviour. It has no place in the GAA. It's not acceptable.

"One of the greatest ambassadors we have in our game is Lee Chin. He's an incredible chap on and off the field."

Daly agreed, adding: "[Tipp manager] Liam Cahill and his men will be just disgusted as well. They'd have the height of respect [for Chin]. It has to be stamped out completely."

There is an instance of an underage players being protected just as much earlier in the thread. And reread the previous post to yours for a full and detailed response to the Chin incident beyond saying he is a great player (which is only a kind human response to the issue anyway.)

Just have to keep challenging it when it happens in the stands and on the pitch. When it's done at the top, people tend to realize they have the power to stop it also.

Some of the replies to this interview/tweet are unbelievably stupid