Dublin GAA players set to protest over Allianz sponsoring the National League
Eva Osborne
Dublin football and hurling players are set to protest over the GAA's decision to keep Allianz as the sponsor of its National League.
Several county boards are calling on the association to cut its ties with the insurance brand, after its parent company, Pimco, was listed in a UN report on the occupied Palestinian territories.
Allianz says it has no holdings in the government bonds referenced in the report, nor does it engage in investment or underwriting activity connected to the Middle East.
Some Dublin players are now refusing to be photographed alongside Allianz branding.
Former Dublin footballer Dr David Hickey has given his “wholehearted support” to the senior footballers and hurlers’ decision to protest at Allianz’s continuing sponsorship of the National Leagues, according to the Irish Examiner.
Hickey is one of 16 former Dublin footballers who have signed a letter to Ger Brennan and the current football squad heralding their stance.
Among the other signatories are former managers Pat Gilroy and Mickey Whelan, Philly McMahon, and Michael Darragh Macauley.
RTÉ reported on Monday that the players had taken the decision not to promote the global insurance company in their media activity around games. It is understood they will not consent to being interviewed in front of Allianz signage.
Allianz are due to launch their sponsorship of the leagues on Thursday but no current player will be in attendance.
They have insisted active inter-county footballers and hurlers will be involved in their promotional activities over the coming weeks, the Irish Examiner reports.
Daniel Epstein O’Dowd, who is a representative for the Jewish Community in Ireland, does not think that the players' actions will have an impact:.
"I think a lot of people looking on at the weekend at the National League games, they won't notice this protest," he said.
"It is actually going to have to be explained that, yes, there's a reason the Allianz symbol isnt in the background.
"And I think, really, it is kind of showing the level of obsessiveness on this issue, which is bringing us to, I think, a very silly place."
