National Forum

Allianz protest

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The sponsor who shall not be named. No backbone by GAA HQ on this matter. Disgraceful.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 9364 - 20/01/2026 18:42:58    2652182

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Replying To yew_tree:  "Not sure…I didn't see any complaints when AIG sponsored Dublin GAA. Who owns AIG? Well their stakeholders include Blackrock and Vanguard. You don't need to be a detective to see what they are involved in."
Exactly, pure hypocrisy. The local branch of Allianz is being tarred with all sorts. The suitation in Gaza is desperate but I support Jarleth Burns' statement on the matter, which was level headed and fact based. If Allianz Ireland had any sense they would leave the GAA to it because some have no value on long term financial arrangements / relationships.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1684 - 20/01/2026 19:02:51    2652190

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Replying To Thejampot:  "Dublin Players or any other players shouldn't have the right to tell a sponsor what they can or can't do with there owen company. If players think anyone in Israel knows or even cares about them they very much mistaken. What's going on over there is nothing to do with our gaa games. If these players or anyone else that is so concerned should forget the protests and head over there to help out!!!. See how many will do that. Very easy to talk"
I don't know what you were reading. The Dublin players are not telling any sponsor what to do. They have decided what they themselves want to do. They will not conduct interviews or stand for promotional photos with the sponsor's banner in the background as they are well entitled to do.

sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 1053 - 20/01/2026 19:16:59    2652193

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Replying To yew_tree:  "Not sure…I didn't see any complaints when AIG sponsored Dublin GAA. Who owns AIG? Well their stakeholders include Blackrock and Vanguard. You don't need to be a detective to see what they are involved in."
100%. And current sponsor.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3933 - 20/01/2026 19:19:52    2652194

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Replying To keeper7:  "Do people agree with boycotting Allianz? They insure absolutely everything for the GAA. The story below does not seem to be widely reported:

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/allianz-and-aviva-drop-elbit-systems-insurance-after-palestine-protests"
I understand the concern but if we strip back all services/ sponsorship in Ireland (to their core) we might just be a little stunned as to to how entangled we are as a small country in these areas and I include pensions in this.. Im a little surprised about the the GPA silence on this as normally human rights are to the forefront of their modus operandi. At least Gaa made a decision on this be it right or wrong but at least we know where they stand even though we may not know the logistics & obstacles of it all. I don't hear motorists groups protesting even though they insure many Gaa people's homes & cars. If county players to happy to play league games under Allianz sponsorship then the question is why the protest infront of the camera for 30 seconds after the game. If they are protesting against Allianz then they are either in or out.

Dothesimplethingswell (Sligo) - Posts: 50 - 20/01/2026 20:34:28    2652203

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Replying To sligo joe:  "Another "say nothing, do nothing, it will make no difference" post. Surely if players feel that allianz's business involvement in Israel is wrong they are fully entitled to refuse to stand beside (and therefore promote) their banner."
They are fully entitled to refuse to stand beside the banner albeit for 25 seconds at the end of the game for what maybe 2 players? If they feel so entitled then why participate in the game at all and get the GPA to back them. They are either in or out

Dothesimplethingswell (Sligo) - Posts: 50 - 20/01/2026 21:02:41    2652208

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Why not refuse to play in the competition altogether if they feel so strongly about it? Is that a virtue signal too far for them?

alalalalalum (USA) - Posts: 239 - 21/01/2026 08:57:09    2652239

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Replying To keeper7:  "Do people agree with boycotting Allianz? They insure absolutely everything for the GAA. The story below does not seem to be widely reported:

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/allianz-and-aviva-drop-elbit-systems-insurance-after-palestine-protests"
A lot of different opinions on this.

"For clarity, Allianz p.l.c. confirms that it has no holdings in the government bonds referenced in a report by the current UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, has no relationship with Elbit Systems and does not engage in any investment or underwriting activity connected to the Middle East. We have been transparent about this factual position throughout."

'Allianz and Aviva drop Elbit cover'

"Allianz and Aviva have given pro-Palestine activists a win after dropping cover for Elbit Systems, the firm providing arms and fuel to Israel."

https://www.postonline.co.uk/news/7959629/allianz-and-aviva-drop-elbit-cover

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4093 - 21/01/2026 10:01:42    2652249

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Replying To alalalalalum:  "Why not refuse to play in the competition altogether if they feel so strongly about it? Is that a virtue signal too far for them?"
I'm inclined to agree. I think this "protest" is a bit farcical.

Seems they're happy to play matches that'll be referred to in all media reports as "the Allianz Football League match between Dublin and whoever". That'll have match programmes with an Allianz logo or advert in about four different places, including the page with their names on it. And where the logo will be on screen several times if the match is being televised.

But hey! Let's not stand in front of one of those logos if we're doing an interview afterwards! That'll hurt 'em all right!!!!!

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3324 - 21/01/2026 10:02:26    2652251

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Worth pointing out that this debate is not about Allianz operating in Israel. Lots of Irish companies operate in Israel and Ireland is Israels second biggest trading partner. The reason Allianz is being singled out is because the parent company was specifically named in a UN report as one of the key the corporations aiding Israel in the displacement of Palestinians and its genocidal war on Gaza, in breach of international law. Allianz (global or Ireland) has not to date come out in criticism of the Israeli action in Gaza or in solidarity with the people of Gaza.

This is what that UN report specifically says about Allianz:

"Global insurance companies, including Allianz and AXA, also invest large sums in shares and bonds implicated in the occupation and genocide, partly as capital reserves for policyholder claims and regulatory requirements, but primarily to generate returns. Allianz holds at least $7.3bn and AXA, despite some divestment decisions, still invests at least $4.09bn in tracked companies named in the present report. Their insurance policies also underwrite the risks other companies necessarily take when operating in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory, thus enabling the commission of human rights abuses and "de-risking" the operational environment."

Also worth noting that AIG sponsorship of Dublin GAA came to an end in Summer 2023. Some are trying to confuse the issue by throwing that into the mix relative to the current onslaught of Gaza since October 2023. The criticism of Allianz stems exclusively from the naming of Allianz in that UN report. In that context I think Dublin are fully entitled to take the position they are taking, and I fully agree with them.

LongfordgaaAbú (Longford) - Posts: 650 - 21/01/2026 11:42:39    2652273

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This is ridiculous thank you so much everyone. They were sponsored by other companies in the past who gave them many moneys please and so on and their reputation was not great either please. So why are they standing on this now??

I am sure Allianz profits will nosedive now thank you that Some Dublin players decide not to stand in a certain area of the pitch please. haha They are not that important thank you for noticing this everyone. They may think they are but in reality nobody cares what Dublin players do thank you all for reading this.

bláthach (Leitrim) - Posts: 398 - 21/01/2026 11:47:10    2652275

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "I'm inclined to agree. I think this "protest" is a bit farcical.

Seems they're happy to play matches that'll be referred to in all media reports as "the Allianz Football League match between Dublin and whoever". That'll have match programmes with an Allianz logo or advert in about four different places, including the page with their names on it. And where the logo will be on screen several times if the match is being televised.

But hey! Let's not stand in front of one of those logos if we're doing an interview afterwards! That'll hurt 'em all right!!!!!"
It is pure look at me nonsense. If they had strong convictions about it the players agitating for this would say don't select us to play in this competition. And more people will probably tune in now to the games or read the reports on what is happening to see their carry on which gives larger promotion to this sponsor. You couldn't make it up.

alalalalalum (USA) - Posts: 239 - 21/01/2026 11:57:06    2652276

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Replying To sligo joe:  "I don't know what you were reading. The Dublin players are not telling any sponsor what to do. They have decided what they themselves want to do. They will not conduct interviews or stand for promotional photos with the sponsor's banner in the background as they are well entitled to do."
Thats all well and good but unless they boycott Allianz products then it makes a joke of it.I Tbf I admire their players stance and if it makes more people take notice of the appalling ways the people in Gaza suffer,then that can only be a good thing.In saying that you have to lead by example and that means that any players involved in this protest should cancel any products they have with Allianz.

gaa.88 (Kerry) - Posts: 43 - 21/01/2026 12:00:48    2652278

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Also Allianz supports Aer Lingus so are they going to boycot Aer Lingus flights is well for their holliers I wonder...

S1234 (Mayo) - Posts: 698 - 21/01/2026 12:03:22    2652279

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Tbf thats a bit harsh.The Dublin players hearts seem to be in the right place but by taking the stance they might be expected to show more like. Its a tough one." You are damned if you do and damned if you dont".

gaa.88 (Kerry) - Posts: 43 - 21/01/2026 12:05:11    2652283

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Replying To gaa.88:  "Tbf thats a bit harsh.The Dublin players hearts seem to be in the right place but by taking the stance they might be expected to show more like. Its a tough one." You are damned if you do and damned if you dont"."
Agreed but remember the old adage "There is no such thing as bad publicity".
This protest and the noise around it is putting Allianz in the minds of people.
If people have a problem with Allianz then do not use their products.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 4089 - 21/01/2026 12:28:59    2652288

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I hope they don't use Cisco for team meeting, Dell servers, Intel chips in any hardware, tear down every set of traffic lights using Siemens tech in the city.
They better not drink Coca Cola, Sprite, Fanta, Powerade, eat Nestle chocolate, wear Puma trainers, stay in an Air B&B, use Booking.com for their holidays or have a look at Trip advisor to see where to get a decent pint or a curry.

Or they could grow up and realise no one gives a monkeys about this virtue signaling guff.

dolfos (Longford) - Posts: 148 - 21/01/2026 12:36:57    2652292

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Israel have their teeth embedded in the corporate world across the board. Does this mean that taking any kind of stand against what they're doing in Gaza and elsewhere should be out of the question just in case it looks hypocritical? It wouldn't be my first concern by a long shot

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2594 - 21/01/2026 12:48:23    2652296

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Replying To CiarraiMick:  "Agreed but remember the old adage "There is no such thing as bad publicity".
This protest and the noise around it is putting Allianz in the minds of people.
If people have a problem with Allianz then do not use their products."
Do you really believe there is no such thing as bad publicity. In fairness there is an old adage to cover everything, no such thing as bad publicity or give a dog a bad name, or no smoke without fire, you can pick whatever adage you want.
In fairness all the Dublin players are doing is exercising their right not to endorse allianz by being interviewed with their logo in the background.
I think there may be players and mentors from other teams that will be uncomfortable if they are asked to stand by the logo, we'll see what happens.

sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 1053 - 21/01/2026 12:58:17    2652299

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Do we really need all those stupid interviews anyway?
Do your talking on the pitch.

SixtiesKid (Galway) - Posts: 379 - 21/01/2026 13:10:23    2652304

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