Copyright irishmirror
Dublin footballer David Byrne is calling on the GAA to cut ties with Allianz as headline sponsor of the National Leagues. The eight-time All-Ireland winner was among several Dubs who signed a petition urging the Association to end its deal with the German insurance giant, over what campaigners say are links to Israel and the war in Gaza. Byrne, 31, says he’s disappointed that the GAA has pressed ahead with plans for another season under the Allianz banner. “I have to say, from what I know, we’re all still going to be playing in the Allianz Leagues,” he said. “The overall goal of the campaign was for the GAA to drop Allianz — and it seems like they haven’t listened to us, or to those people making that campaign. That’s been disappointing.” The petition, circulated earlier this year by Dublin club activists, urged Croke Park to review its commercial links in light of what players and supporters called a “moral responsibility”. An ethics committee was set up to look at the issue — but Byrne believes progress has been painfully slow. “They moved, they talked, and started to investigate,” he explained. “They had six or eight people on that committee — so that was the step they took. “But these things always seem to take time. That’s the frustration from my perspective. "Why can’t this be looked at and dealt with quickly?” The Dubs defender insists there’s no bad blood with GAA chiefs — just a desire for the Association to match its famous community ethos with action. “To be fair, the people running Croke Park are generally good people,” he said. “It’s not like they’re doing anything malicious. But people are speaking up, saying they don’t want to be associated with Allianz. “Ultimately, the goal is — or what I’d like to see — is for Allianz to be dropped as sponsors of the National Football League.” Byrne says speaking out on social and moral issues should never be off limits for GAA players. “I do think it’s important,” he said. “We’re not huge celebrities, like international soccer players or anything like that. But we do have a platform and a voice within our own community. “The GAA has such a brilliant ethos and reputation. And if we see something that feels socially or morally wrong, it’s important that players organise themselves and speak out.” The St. Olaf’s clubman has emerged as one of the few inter-county footballers willing to take a public stand on Gaza — and he admits he’s prepared for whatever criticism might come his way. “There’s always the old idea that people say to ‘keep politics out of sport’, and I do believe in that to an extent. “Sport shouldn’t be involved in local elections or politics like that. “But when it’s a human-rights issue — when sport or work are connected, even indirectly, to funding and genocide — then it’s important we speak up.” Byrne says the campaign has nothing to do with party politics or ideology — just basic human decency. For him, the issue is simple: if players believe a sponsor’s business interests are incompatible with the GAA’s values, they should be allowed to say so. He’s not demanding headlines, he’s demanding consistency. The Dubs defender’s stance has already drawn quiet support from within the GAA community — players, coaches and fans who believe sport cannot close its eyes to what’s happening in Gaza. And while the League season will kick off again next spring under the Allianz logo, Byrne insists the debate is far from over. “It doesn’t change what happened before the ceasefire,” he said. “I haven’t heard anything new from the GAA or from the people leading the campaign. “But I think a lot of players who signed that petition will not be too happy about playing in a competition named after Allianz.” For now, Byrne’s focus will soon switch back to football and Dublin’s hunt for Sam again next summer. They have a new manager in place, former team mate Ger Brennan coming in to replace outgoing boss, Dessie Farrell, who guided the Dubs to two All-Irelands. Under Brennan’s guidance, Louth won their first Leinster title in 68 years in May. Byrne said: “Ger has inter-county experience, which is brilliant to have, and it'd be interesting to see how he would have been prepared to play in Dublin in the past in terms of identifying our different strengths and weaknesses over the last year or two. “So he has that inter-county management pedigree which I think would be valuable for us going forward.” Dublin footballer David Byrne spoke at the unveiling of the new Dublin GAA jersey which is sponsored by Staycity. The jersey is available online and in shops.
