Picture not clear on video evidence

GAELIC GAMES/Disciplinary decisions following Omagh violence: There is confusion over the role to be played by video evidence when the GAA decide what action to take about the weekend's National Football League match between Dublin and Tyrone.

The Central Disciplinary Committee (CDC), the body that will consider the matter, is still uncertain about the admissibility of such evidence in the light of last summer's decision by the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) to overturn a suspension imposed on Tyrone's Ryan McMenamin.

Con Hogan, chair of the CDC, says that the committee will have to take advice on the question of video evidence when they meet tomorrow evening.

"We have to look at that. Our understanding is that an incident dealt with by the referee can't be revisited. But we need clear advice. There's also the question of when a referee dealt with an incident, was there part of it that he didn't see."

There will be no shortage of video evidence as the match was broadcast live on TG4 but the question of admissibility will arise. In the McMenamin case, the player dropped knees first into the chest/neck of Armagh's John McEntee for which he received a yellow card.

The CDC subsequently decided that the offence had warranted a dismissal and suspended McMenamin. The matter went to the DRA, which ruled that the suspension should be lifted because of ambiguity as to when yellow cards could be reviewed.

This finding was based on the report of a sub-committee dating back to 2003 but regardless of its basis (the report wouldn't count as either a rule or regulation), the decision stood.

"It's important to realise that the DRA found nothing wrong with the procedures of the CDC," said GAA president Seán Kelly last August. "The import of the decision is basically that the power to change yellow-card offences to red will have to be enshrined in rule. Next year's congress will deal with that."

Yesterday Kelly, who earlier released a statement promising "a full investigation" and "appropriate action", confirmed that this question was being addressed with a view to sorting it out at this year's congress.

"We have asked the Rulebook Task Force to examine that matter and any other anomalies with a view to preparing a motion for congress. This has been discussed recently by the Management Committee."

In the meantime Kelly feels that the CDC aren't that restricted in their range of options. Whereas the DRA decision suggests that what might be termed inadequate punishment can't be revisited, there is a view that for incidents that the referee didn't deal with, video evidence can be used.

"They can look at the video evidence and if the referee has missed something, they can go ahead and charge those involved with discrediting the association or striking or whatever offence is believed to have been committed."

But the question of yellow cards might well arise in consideration of a match in which the referee showed 14 yellow cards.

"That's debatable and depends on the circumstances," says Kelly "but any issue arising from the referee's report can be clarified with the referee. It's very important that the message goes out that they won't tolerate misconduct. There's no point in blaming the referee. Players and management, those involved, must take the blame."

Hogan, however, is more circumspect about the powers of the CDC. "We'll have Paddy's (match referee Paddy Russell) report and take a look at the video. After that it depends on what we can and can't do."

Russell's report is expected to be lodged in time for tomorrow night's meeting. Much will depend on what's in this report, particularly if the CDC believes that it hasn't the authority or at best only a limited authority to consider video evidence.

Whatever conclusion is drawn, there won't be any immediate action taken. It should be known after tomorrow's meeting what the general response has been in that it will be revealed how many players are to be called before the disciplinary body.

"It depends on how the offences are reported," according to Hogan, "but, if appropriate, players will be charged and that will mean another hearing. Of necessity it's protracted but that's because we have to apply due process."

In advance of the coming round of National League fixtures, Dublin will be missing Alan Brogan who received a straight red card, which unless it is overturned, will keep him out of Sunday's match with Monaghan but Denis Bastic, who was sent off for two yellow cards, is available for selection.

The same applies to Tyrone, who will be missing Colin Holmes, sent off on a straight red, whereas Stephen O'Neill, who picked up two yellows, will be available.