FRC's Peter Canavan accepts communication issues around new rules

Peter Canavan accepts there have been communication issues regarding the new Gaelic football rules, but doesn't believe the Football Review Committee (FRC) is to blame over the ensuing confusion.

With three rounds complete of the Allianz Football League, managers, players, officials and supporters alike are getting to grips with the landscape.

Errors along the way have been inevitable. Aidan Forker’s dismissal for Armagh against Donegal for example should have resulted in a throw ball, rather than a free, while some other infractions have been missed by all stakeholders.

There have been teething problems on a broader scale.

Armagh manager Kieran McGeeney said his county had received mixed messages over the '3 v 3’ rule change after the opening round of the league.

"We asked for clarification during the week and we were sent it last night," he said after the defeat to Galway last month. "I showed it to the ref (Conor Lane), and he showed me his (rule instructions) and they're completely different."

Some referees have indicated that the current rule book still contains errors.

Last week a meeting between the FRC and referees panel resulted in new guidelines issued to referees in relation to kickouts, where a goalkeeper now has just 20 seconds to get his restart away.

Over the weekend there were instances of referees clamping down on the delayed restarts, with 13-metre frees the result.

Four management teams across three divisions contacted by RTÉ Sport said they had not received any official communication regarding the 20-second guideline.

Canavan, who joined the Jim Gavin-led FRC last month, has sympathy with management teams and players.

"I accept there are communication issues and a number of obstacles," he said speaking on