Declan Bonner to back players' interview boycott

Donegal senior football manager Declan Bonner is backing a boycott by Gaelic footballers of media interviews this weekend.

Players have been told by the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) not to conduct interviews after games in a bid to raise awareness of an issue over expenses.

No Donegal players will be conducting interviews after Sunday’s Allianz League game against Monaghan at Sean MacCumhaill Park.

A Donegal GAA spokesperson has confirmed that Bonner will be rowing in behind the players.

The spokesperson said:  “I have just been informed by Declan Bonner that managers have been asked to support the players in this action and he will also not be doing interviews.”

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It is claimed that the majority of players have not received expenses since they resumed training in December.

In a circular to players, GPA chief executive wrote: “The GPA is extremely disappointed that the GAA's position at the start of 2022 was to continue with the cost-saving mechanisms, for example, players to receive a reduced mileage rate of 50c and to continue to cap players to be only permitted to claim expenses for three sessions per week, resulting in all other scheduled sessions being at the cost of players.”

The GPA accepted a reduction in provisions during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic when games were played behind closed doors.

Parsons added: “Until every player is paid their expenses for all collective sessions there will be action by players in response.”