WEXFORD GOALKEEPER ANTHONY Masterson has escaped a ban after apologising for his criticism of referee Derek Fahy in the wake of his side’s narrow loss to Limerick last month.
Masterson had initially called Fahy “the world’s worst referee”, but decided to retract his comments after he was threatened with an eight-week ban.
After learning of his fate, Masterson told reporters:
“I’m relieved it’s all over. I’ve just received word this morning that the apology has been accepted. Until I got the all-clear I always feared a suspension. Now I can concentrate on my club commitments.”
Masterson was not the only Wexford player who was unhappy with Fahy’s performance against Limerick. Several of his teammates tweeted their dissatisfaction and their thoughts went unpunished, as the GAA currently has no official policy on dealing with players’ abusing referees via the site.
There were also complaints that Masterson’s subsequent punishment was akin to censorship, with Graeme Molloy describing the decision to fine Masterson as “a joke”.
It was also announced last week that the GPA had issued guidelines to players on the appropriate use of social networking sites, with the GAA set to monitor Twitter to stem any criticism of the organisation or its affiliates.
