THE BLACK CARD is here to stay in the GAA, according to Paraic Duffy.

The Director-General insists there will be no u-turn with the new disciplinary rule which has come into operation since the commencement of the pre-season competitions this month.

“Let one thing be clear; there can be no turning back. Indeed, the introduction of the black card can only be a beginning in the effort to allow Gaelic football achieve its full potential.

“Proponents of the black card argued that it will discourage many of the cynical fouls that disfigure the game and will penalise those for whom fouling has become an integral and instinctive part of their playing of the game.

“Teams who play football in the correct spirit have nothing to fear from its introduction and much will depend on how coaches want the game to be played. Referees will be under pressure, and there will be the inevitable clamour for an about-turn when players receive black cards in the early weeks of the Allianz Football League.

“There are too many fouls in most matches, persistent fouls goes relatively unpunished. There needs to be a penalty for players who routinely draw yellow cards in almost every game. The FRC has taken an important first step towards achieving these goals. It is now up to all of us to ensure that what Congress has agreed is implemented fully.”

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