TYRONE footballer Tiernan McCann is set to challenge the GAA’s proposal of an eight-week ban for simulation in a potentially landmark case.
The GAA plan to make an example of McCann, who fell theatrically to the ground after merely having his hair ruffled by Monaghan’s Darren Hughes, who in turn was dismissed, in their All-Ireland quarter-final clash at Croke Park last Sunday.
However, RTE analyst Joe Brolly insists the GAA would be “unlawful” to issue such a severe ban for simulation, claiming a yellow card is the only appropriate course of action, according to the rulebook.
@PhilipJordan7 the central point is that feigning is feigning. The penalty is a yellow card. How can any single act of feigning be worse 1/2
— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) August 12, 2015
As such, Tyrone will appeal the proposed ban, but if they are unsuccessful McCann will be ruled out of the remainder of the season, with the Red Hands to play Kerry in the All-Ireland Senior Football semi-final at Croke Park on August 23.
Should the ban be upheld, organisations in soccer may take note of the situation, with world governing body FIFA ruling “attempts to deceive the referee by feigning injury or pretending to have been fouled (simulation)” are punishable only by yellow card too.
Whether the GAA can push through with their plans to ban McCann for eight weeks or not remains to be seen, but Tyrone manager Mickey Harte believes their county board have a strong case in McCann’s defence.
He said: “Obviously the county board are contesting it, and we’ll see where that takes us.”
See More: Ban, Diving Controversy, GAA, Tiernan McCann, Tryone
