Gaelic Players Association hits out at GAA over unpaid and reduced expenses

The Gaelic Players Association says it is "extremely disappointed" that the GAA is seeking to continue cost-savings on player expenses and allowances introduced during the pandemic in 2022.

Having accepted a reduction in player charter provision for the 2020 and 2021 seasons while attendances and gate receipts were affected by Covid-19, the players group believes there should now be a full reinstatement of provisions of the charter that were put in place pre-Covid.

An update was today given to inter-county players by GPA CEO Tom Parsons, who said that the players' group has been in negotiations with the GAA since before Christmas on a charter for this year.

"In 2020 and 2021 the GPA accepted a reduction in provisions around travel expenses, gear and footwear while the GAA's financial situation was uncertain," the note to members said.

"The GPA agreed to do this in good faith with the GAA on the basis that a return to normality would see a reinstatement of the 2019 charter provisions at a minimum," added Parsons in his communication to players.

"The GPA is extremely disappointed that the GAA’s position at the start of 2022 was to continue with the cost saving mechanisms, ie players to receive a reduced mileage rate of 50c and to continue to cap players to be only be permitted to claim expenses for three sessions a week, resulting in all other sessions being at the cost of the player."

In its annual financial results for 2021, the GAA recorded a €13.5m surplus.

Parsons said that GPA data showed how players mileage expenses since 2020 had been reduced by 40% per player on average, and that a majority of players had not been paid 2022 travel expenses.

He threatened unspecified "action by players" if this was not remedied.

"During the