Silence on allegations of sledging in minor match can be just as hurtful

IT may or may not have escaped you last week but the Ulster GAA Council recently concluded its investigation into allegations that a Donegal minor footballer was verbally abused with remarks about his recently deceased father in an Ulster MFC game against Tyrone this summer.

The allegation was that the player was subjected to “unwelcome comments” directed at the Donegal player by one or more Tyrone players when the counties played each other last May.

However, the report refutes the claim that the comments were in relation to the death of the Donegal player’s father.

The five-month investigation concluded that is was ‘likely’ that the comments were made, but beyond that nothing else from the investigation has been made public.

The Council’s report states: “On balance of probabilities and following a review of the evidence, it was likely that some Tyrone players made unwelcome verbal comments towards the Donegal player during the game.

“Both County Committees and the Investigation Committee accept that the comments were not about the death of the player’s father.”

“All sides accept that the comments made by players and others on social and open media channels were not reflective of the views and ethos of either Tyrone or Donegal GAA.

“Tyrone GAA has expressed their best wishes to the Donegal player in question. The Donegal GAA officials welcomed and thanked Tyrone GAA for their comments and have also expressed the same sentiments to all the Tyrone players. This matter is now concluded”.

Fair enough? We’re not so sure. Of course this is a sensitive matter, not least for the Donegal player in question who can, clearly, be easily identified by anyone who wants to.

But what about the Tyrone players who were ‘likely’ to have indulged in this horrible sledging?

The burden of proof in these cases is extremely difficult to prove beyond question but what, if any, sanction has been laid at the Tyrone County Board or any individual player if it has been proven such verbals did take place?

And should that punishment be made public? There is another issue if the players involved are legal minors (under 18 years of age) but if they are adults then shouldn’t they be sanctioned publicly the same as if they had landed a punch and received a red card.

In this case stick and stones may break some bones but verbal sledging of this alleged nature is far more hurtful and far-reaching.