GAA votes to retain Allianz as sponsors

The GAA will retain Allianz as the sponsors of their National Leagues and All-Ireland senior football championship.

The association’s Management Committee voted in favour of continuing the relationship and Central Council were informed of their decision on Friday evening.

It came after Coiste Bainisti were presented with the recommendations of the ethics and integrity committee’s review of the partnership, having been tasked with doing so in September.

They were charged with that responsibility following a call from over 800 current and former inter-county players to cut ties with Allianz in light of a UN report highlighting ties between the multinational insurance company, Israel war bonds, and the genocide in Gaza.

The Management Committee’s decision came two days after Leitrim became the ninth county to officially call for the end of the GAA’s partnership. Central Council may still consider those motions.

The full report of the committee will soon be made available to members. GAA president Jarlath Burns is also expected to outline the rationale for the decision on RTÉ Radio 1 on Saturday evening.

It was feared that ending the relationship with Allianz would put clubs at risk as their insurance policies are underwritten by the company.

In a statement released on Friday evening, the GAA also highlighted the ethics and integrity commission’s (EIC) fear that “the unilateral termination of the contract with Allianz plc by the GAA could expose the Association to legal consequences apart from loss of sponsorship.

It continued: “The GAA is ethically and legally bound to honour its contracts and a failure to do so has the potential to damage its reputation and undermine its ability to do business with commercial entities.”

The report insisted “Allianz plc has no involvement with the IDF or corporate entities involved in the war in Gaza. Any such relationship is with a ‘sibling or cousin company’.”

While it also “advised the Association to encourage Allianz plc to use its influence to encourage other companies within the group to act in accordance with Irish, European and International Law.

“Similarly, it also advised that all contractual arrangements are assessed to ensure that parties with whom the Association's units are doing business are not engaged in unethical activities.

“The GAA acknowledges the strongly held views of some of its members on this issue, and the Association would also like to thank the EIC for their work in this matter.”

Allianz said they looked forward to working with the GAA "in the seasons ahead" and insisted it has no holdings in government bonds reference in the UN report.

“For clarity, Allianz p.l.c. confirms that it has no holdings in the government bonds referenced in a report by the current UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, has no relationship with Elbit Systems and does not engage in any investment or underwriting activity connected to the Middle East. We have been transparent about this factual position throughout.

“We appreciate the seriousness and independence with which the Commission has conducted its work. This process has provided independent assurance on a complex issue and confirms that the partnership can continue on a clear and informed basis.

“The GAA sits at the heart of Irish community life, and Allianz p.l.c. is proud to support Gaelic Games, volunteers, schools and local clubs across Ireland. We look forward to continuing that work in the seasons ahead.”