The Gaelic Players' Association has weighed in on the controversy over the GAA's choice of venue for Saturday's All-Ireland SFC qualifier between Kildare and Mayo.

Kildare are refusing to play the game in Croke Park as they feel they have the right to home advantage in Newbridge after being drawn out before Mayo this morning.

However, the GAA's director of games administration Feargal McGill has said that the set fixture "is not going to change under any circumstances".

With neither side unwilling to budge, the GPA has backed Kildare's stance on the issue, releasing the following statement on its website this evening:

"The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) is today calling on the GAA to immediately reinstate the Kildare versus Mayo Round 3 Qualifier game to the original fixture for Saturday evening at 7pm in St Conleth's Park, Newbridge.

"It is unclear why the GAA is not sticking to its original decision that the first team drawn would have home advantage.

"The GAA decision to move this game from its original venue of St. Conleth's Park to Croke Park is unacceptable. Not alone is it unfair to the Kildare team but it is also unfair on the Mayo football panel who are now expected to make alternative travel arrangements having understood that the game was fixed for Newbridge.

"Changing the rules with regard to match venues  at the 11^th hour without any regard to the players affected is not fair or reasonable. Players deserve better and the GAA should respect their own rules in this regard."    

GPA calls on GAA to host Round 3 Qualifier in Conleth's Park, Newbridge :https://t.co/iIgGrCCA7F

- GPA (@gaelicplayers) June 25, 2018

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