Clann na nGael Anti-Racism Policy

This is Clann na nGael (Roscommon) GAA Club’s Anti-Racism Policy which sets out Club’s position in relation to issues of racial harassment and abuse.

GAA Official Guide, Rule 1.12: The Association is Anti-Sectarian and Anti-Racist. Any conduct by deed, word or gesture of a sectarian or racist nature against any player, official, spectator or anyone else, in the course of activities organised by the Association, shall be deemed to have discredited the Association.

1. Clann na nGael GAA Club condemns racism in any form, either on or off the pitch. The Club aims to create and maintain an environment free from racial harassment and abuse.

2. Everybody connected with the Club has a responsibility to prevent racial harassment or abuse.

3. Racial harassment or abuse is defined, by Clann na nGael GAA Club, to be any verbal, written, physical or visual (to include gestures) abuse that is based on a person’s race, ethnic background, colour, nationality, language or cultural background – and is considered to be unwanted, unacceptable and offensive to the person.

4. Members, players and supporters of Clann na nGael GAA Club have a responsibility to make it clear that such behaviour by anyone connected with Club, or attending on the Club’s premises, is unacceptable.

5. Members, players and supporters of Clann na nGael GAA Club will be aware that racist taunts and abusive or threatening behaviour will not be tolerated by the Club and are encouraged to condemn and report such behaviour.

6. In the event of a report being made to any member of the Executive of Clann na nGael GAA Club that a visitor to the premises of Clann na nGael GAA Club is engaging in racist abuse or harassment then that visitor shall be requested, by a member of Clann na nGael GAA Club’s Executive, to immediately leave the Club’s premises and a complaint of his/her behaviour may be made to the Gardai and, if appropriate, to the Roscommon GAA County Board and, if he/she is attending as a supporter of another GAA Club to the Secretary of that Club.

7. Where a complaint has been made to any member of the Executive of Clann na nGael GAA Club that any member, player or supporter of Clann na nGael GAA Club has been engaged in racist abuse or harassment, whether on the Club’s premises or on the premises of any other GAA Club, then the Club will deal any such complaint in accordance with the disciplinary procedure of the Club. Furthermore, the Club shall give its full support to the Gardai in any criminal action that may be taken arising out of an incident of racist abuse or harassment.

8. Racist abuse or harassment by any member, player or supporter of Clann na nGael GAA Club shall be considered to be such a serious breach of the club rules that it will be considered to be conduct which would discredit or harm the Club or the GAA and may result in punishment up to and including expulsion from the Club.