Referee David Gough was banned from wearing a rainbow wristband by the GAA during last night's FL Division 1 clash between Dublin and Tyrone at Croke Park.

The Meath official intended to wear the wristband to show his support for a 'Yes' vote in the forthcoming referendum on same-sex civil marriage and also to highlight 'equality and homophobia in sport'.

The Sunday Independent reports that the 31-year-old, the country's first openly gay GAA match official, was initially granted permission by GAA chiefs on Friday but that was later withdrawn.

In a statement, the GAA's head of media relations Alan Milton explained: "It's a black and white issue. The association is apolitical. Any member is allowed to have their own political views or opinions outside but Croke Park is not the place to make political gestures.

"We have been very consistent on this issue."

He added: "Once the referendum was called on same-sex civil marriage it became a political issue going before the people in a vote.

"We, of course, are vehemently opposed to homophobia in any form and have actively supported diversity in our games."

Slane clubman Gough, who refereed the All-Ireland U-21 FC final between Galway and Cork in 2013, said he felt let down by the GAA's u-turn on the issue.

"I had received permission at noon on Friday but then received a number of calls on Friday night and another at 7.30am yesterday when they told me they would not allow it.

"At one stage they had offered a compromise where I could wear the wristband under the stands at Croke Park, on the fringes of the pitch or in the dressing rooms but would have to take it off when I crossed the white line onto the pitch for the match.

"I would not have done that. It would have made it look as if I had something to hide. They have over-analysed and over-politicised a very simple gesture."

He continued: "I suppose that in the current climate it was simply my gesture of support for same-sex civil marriage but mostly to raise the issue of equality and homophobia in sport.

"I have been openly gay since 2011 when I was in my late 20s - which, I suppose, was relatively late in life in this day and age. My family were the first to know. I did it all over one weekend. I told my team-mates and close friends that weekend and college friends and all that the following week.

"I found that everyone was incredibly supportive.

"I presume most players in Co Meath would know I'm gay at this stage. It is not something that has been hidden by either me or my family. It has never been an issue in Meath. All the players have always shown me great respect.

"It never raised its head in any form during my officiating at matches."

Tweet

Most Read Stories