The County Chairperson of Wexford, Micheál Martin, has stated that a full investigation is underway into the alleged racist abuse suffered by Lee Chin, the Wexford captain.
This happened during an inter-county challenge match against Tipperary in Carrick-on-Suir on Saturday.
The match ended prematurely due to the alleged abuse directed at Chin by a spectator.
A video went viral of the incident and in the video players can be seen confronting the person responsible.
Lee Chin was racially abused during a match between Wexford and Tipperary.
This man deserves a Lifetime ban from @officialgaa #Gaa pic.twitter.com/JfqlTFHziG— Score Beo (@Score_Beo) April 9, 2023
Both inter-county teams released a statement condemning the abuse of Chin.
A Tipperary statement last weekend read: "The Tipperary senior hurlers played Wexford this afternoon in a senior hurling challenge hosted by the Carrick Swan club.
"Unfortunately, as the game entered the closing stages, a member of the public who is not connected to either Tipperary GAA or the Carrick Swan club, made racial comments which were directed at a member of the Wexford team.
"Tipperary GAA wish to state quite clearly that this kind of behaviour is totally unacceptable and has absolutely no place at our games or in our society.
"Tipperary GAA, along with the senior hurling management, players and the Carrick Swan GAA club, do not condone this kind of behaviour and wish to distance ourselves from any such comments.
"Both Tipperary and Wexford GAA County Boards have been in contact with each other in relation to this incident and are fully committed to having the incident investigated fully."
While Wexford said: "This behaviour is totally unacceptable and has no place and has absolutely no place in at our games or in our society."
The GPA added: "The Gaelic Players' Association want to express our absolute support for, and solidarity with, our fellow player Lee Chin.
"There is no place for the racist abuse Lee suffered in a game yesterday.
"Not alone is there no place for this sort of behaviour in our games, but it also needs to be called out for what it is in all parts of society.
"We now put our trust in the administrators in both Wexford and Tipperary to investigate the incident and deal with the individual responsible accordingly."
At the most recent Congress, an anti-racism rule was instituted that where any act, deed, word or gesture of a racist nature, carrying a 48-week suspension.
Repeat offenders would then be subjected to 96-week bans.
Several players from the past and present have condemned the abuse aimed at Chin. High profile figures at Wexford have also had their say on the matter.
Speaking today on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Wexford's Matin asked for swift action to be taken and that an investigation will take place.
"The rules of the GAA did change at a recent Congress in regards to this particular area, so it is quite defined in relation to the process that will take place, but an investigation will take place now.
"It's important due process does take place and that there’s an investigation… I would like to see it done quickly.
"I don’t want to propose specific suspensions here because that would be to prejudice this particular investigation that’s ongoing at the moment but there is a number of options open to the committee up to expulsion from the association depending on how the severity of the particular incident.
"I spoke to Lee yesterday.
"It’s important here to consider a number of factors. Lee first of all, and his family because generally when anything is said to players of any nature it’s their family member who will take it to heart more.
"Players, to a degree are used to this, not that they should be used to it. Lee has spoken previously about this.
"He’s also spoken about the importance of challenging this type of behaviour, not just for himself but for the players who follow in his footsteps."
Statement in relation to senior hurling challenge between Tipperary and Wexford pic.twitter.com/1ZEToSIr77
— Tipperary GAA (@TipperaryGAA) April 8, 2023
