A top referee was banned by the GAA from wearing the gay pride rainbow wristband at tonight’s big match in Croke Park.

Inter-county official Davy Gough, who is openly gay, wanted to wear the wristband as he officiated at the crunch Allianz football League match under lights between Dublin and Tyrone.

He planned to make the gesture to highlight the issues of homophobia and equality in sport as well as making a personal call for a “yes” vote in the May Referendum on same sex civil marriage.

But while the GAA initially supported the idea, association chiefs later vetoed the plan because they felt wearing the rainbow wristband, a potent symbol of diversity within the gay community, was “a political act.”

Mr Gough, a 31-year-old teacher tipped as a future All-Ireland final referee, said he was “dismayed and disappointed” by the veto which, he said, “let down” the many gay members of the association.

A spokesman for the GAA told the Sunday Independent that the decision was “black and white.”

“The GAA is apolitical and does not allow political gestures at our games. Once the referendum was called and the people are asked to vote then it becomes political,” said spokesman Alan Milton.

Mr Gough said he was disappointed but had no option but to adhere to the ban.

“I suppose that 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.”

Read Jerome Reilly for full story and interview in tomorrow’s Sunday Independent.

Online Editors