An openly gay politician has supported the GAA's decision to ban referee David Gough from wearing a Gay Pride wristband during Saturday night's Allianz Football League between Dublin and Tyrone.

The Meath match official said he wanted to wear the 'freedom' wristband to highlight equality and homophobia in sport. However, the GAA's first openly gay referee was stopped from wearing the wristband after it emerged that it was also a means for him to express his  support for a 'Yes' vote in the forthcoming referendum on same-sex civil marriage.

Speaking to the Irish Daily Star, Fine Gael TD Jerry Buttimer said he could understand why the GAA had taken the decision.

"The GAA have been very proactive in battling homophobia and had the wristband only signified that I am sure the referee would have been allowed wear it.

"But I can see where the GAA is coming from in relation to the referendum issue."

In a statement to the Sunday Independent, the GAA said that once the referendum on same-sex civil marriage had been called then the issue "became political."

Tweet

Most Read Stories