GAA players call for Croke Park to drop Allianz sponsorship

Nearly 800 GAA players have written an open letter to Croke Park calling for them to drop the Allianz sponsorship from their games. Written directly the Tom Ryan, Ard-Stiúrthóir of the GAA, the letter asked Ryan to "demonstrate its commitment to its principles and to international humanitarian law."

Both current and former players have signed the petition.

The letter is calling for Croke Park to cut ties with Allianz after the company was reported to be financially supporting Israel's occupation in Palestine.

The petition states that Allianz is "enabling the genocide of the Palestinian people."

In a statement, Allianz said “Our long-standing partnership with the GAA is about supporting Irish sport and communities."

“Allianz Ireland is part of a global group, and while the wider group operates internationally across insurance and investment, as a matter of principle, we do not comment on individual customers or business matters. What we can say is that all Allianz business decisions are guided by strict legal standards and world-leading ESG (environmental, social and governance) principles.”

The report naming the company was issued by the UN special rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Francesca Albanese. Published in June, the report found that Allianz had invested a large sum of money in shares and bonds linked to the occupation of Palestine.

Signatories of the petition include football commentator Colm O'Rourke, Antrim hurler Neil McManus, All Ireland Winner Joe Brolly, Shane McGuigan, Dublin footballer Michael Darragh McAuley, All Ireland Winner, Aoife Ní Chasáide, and three times Ulster Camogie player of the year, Jane Adams, to name just a few.

“Sometimes the right thing costs money but in this case it is the least of what we should do," said O'Rourke.

“I think all club members should be made aware of what is happening in their name because of the sponsorship of the competition."