No time for players to drink on RTE

GPA Product placement: The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) appear resigned to accepting RTÉ's reinforced ban on product placement by players across all sports.

It was confirmed yesterday that RTÉ have reiterated their policy on the matter to the producers of the Sunday Game after discovering that players were being paid to advertise the official GPA sports drink, Club Energise, during post-match interviews.

GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell described RTÉ's policy as "very disappointing" and would be seeking official clarification as to where product placement begins and ends.

"This is something the players are particularly aggrieved about," said Farrell. "It doesn't contravene any GAA regulation, and it was the only legitimate way for players to get some sort of recompense compared to their professional counterparts.

"I don't see how it is any different to any other branded material, such as logos on the playing gear. So we'd still be taking the issue very seriously, because the €500 is not to be sneezed at. It just seems to be very unfair on the amateur player.

"We've also requested a meeting with the marketing department of the GAA because we feel this is area we have been making good strides on."

According to the RTÉ press officer, Richie Ryan, the decision to ban any product placement across all sports was merely upholding existing policy, and was not directed solely at the GPA's endorsement.

"There is a ban," said Ryan, "and that's part of the policy that has already existed. It's not specific to drinks, it applies to all products across all sports. And that policy has always existed, but because the Sunday Game was only on air a week, maybe it wasn't properly communicated to all those concerned.

"Ultimately, the viewers are the most important, and they don't want to see players swigging out of bottles at every opportunity."

It remains to be seen just how successful RTÉ will be in enforcing their policy, but there clearly won't be any exceptions.

"The players will be asked not to carry out any product placement, and if they say no they won't be interviewed," Ryan said. "But it will come down to the directors of the Sunday Game how successfully it will be enforced.

"This has been communicated to everyone involved in the Sunday Game. RTÉ have spoken to the GPA about this, and it's certainly not a case of us cracking down only on GAA."