GAA:The Ulster Council has confirmed it is to establish an investigation into allegations of racism during Sunday's provincial club football final between Crossmaglen and Kilcoo. The report of referee Joe McQuillan will be central to the inquest.
At a meeting this evening the Ulster GAA competitions control committee “agreed to establish an investigation” that will be “based on the contents of the referee's report”.
Making the announcement on Twitter, the Council added: “A group has been established to conduct the investigation and will be reporting back to the CCC in due course.
“There will be no further comment on this issue until the investigation is complete.”
Crossmaglen’s Aaron Cunningham alleged he was repeatedly racially abused by at least two Kilcoo players during Sunday’s victory in Armagh.
Ulster Council president Aogán Ó Fearghail made it clear yesterday, that any player found guilty of racism will face severe penalties.
“It is not something we would tolerate at any level,” he said. “One case of alleged racism is far too many. We spend a lot of time, particularly in Ulster, working with communities that would not have been part of the GAA. We’re not going to allow any allegations of racism damage that.
“And the sanctions are very clear. Rule 1 states very clearly that we are anti-sectarian, anti-racism. If there is anybody found to be in breach of that then they will be found to have discredited the association. The rule for that is very clear also – a minimum of eight weeks and a maximum of a lifetime ban. If proven guilty certainly severe penalties would be applied.”
Kilcoo have promised to “cooperate fully” with the investigation, admitting they were “shocked and saddened” by the allegations.