A SHORT statement from Croke Park yesterday has sent a shot across the bows of players and others in regard to creeping professionalism in Gaelic games. The statement said that a sub committee will be set up within the next two weeks "to review the association's existing rules/regulations on amateur status. The review body will be established by the president, Jack Boothman, within the next two weeks".

The most significant part of the GAA's two paragraph statement reads: "The central council of the GAA wishes to advise all players that they should resist any approaches from agents or companies that might endanger their amateur status".

This follows reports in the Sunday sports paper The Title that a number of GAA players have been approached, or have already made agreements with agents, in regard to the possibility of making financial gain from their prominence on the GAA scene.

It is also a response to widespread poaching of players within the club scene in, many counties, accompanied by rumours that various sweeteners are on offer including jobs, motor cars and generous tax free expenses.

The newspaper reports suggest that a company called Pro Active Sports - Management has been in touch with many footballers and hurlers with a view to representing their financial interests.

The GAA has always guarded its amateur status jealously. However, the acceptance of sponsorship for its All Ireland competitions (Bank of Ireland in football and Guinness in hurling) and leagues (Church and General) has clouded the waters somewhat. In addition, county boards and clubs have taken sponsorship money in return for carrying company logos on their jerseys.

Indeed, few teams take the field these days without the name of their sponsor splashed across their playing gear.

The obvious progression from that is for prominent players to accept financial rewards from commercial firms who wish to promote their products on the back (or chest) of prominent players.

There is a suggestion that the situation could develop to a point where a player might offer his services to another county for money, thus creating a transfer system of sorts.

Given that the GAA's strength has been founded on loyalty to club and county this could be a fatal development for the long term interests of the association. That appears to be the concern of the GAA and the reason for its statement yesterday. Recent developments in rugby union have also unnerved the organisation.

It would seem from yesterday's statement that the GAA is now planning a serious review of its amateur rules in response to a growing demand from some prominent players of the present and recent past. Some of these players are already benefitting financially from their contributions to newspapers and the broadcast media.

The huge sums of money generated from gate receipts, television revenues, advertising and commercial activity in recent times have posed questions for players who have devoted their time and efforts to the GAA without any reward apart from the occasional glory of a medal, a trip abroad or the attentions of adoring supporters.

The GAA's investment in corporate facilities at Croke Park has also inspired players to ask questions about why their commitment should not be rewarded.

Yesterday's statement is the first indication that the GAA is about to recognise the problems which a new era will bring. It is difficult to see how the GAA can find a way to walk the tight rope between, pure amateurism and partial, professionalism without damaging the very fabric upon which the association which was founded nearly 112 years' ago.