Armagh joint captain Aidan Nugent has expressed his frustration at a delay in the payment of expenses to inter-county players in “the middle of a cost of living crisis.”
It emerged last night that squad lists for 26 teams have not yet been submitted to the GAA, meaning the players from those counties can’t receive expenses.
The system is still not operational for the football and hurling squads of the six counties outside the euro zone - Tyrone, Derry, Fermanagh, Antrim, Down and Armagh.
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The Gaelic Players’ Association (GPA) have labeled this “disappointing,” claiming the necessary changes to the system should have been completed last Friday.
This also means that 14 squad lists have still to be submitted by County Boards in the 26 counties.
In a message signed off yesterday by GPA CEO Tom Parsons to players, the former Mayo star says the squad lists should be “submitted as a matter of urgency.”
The message outlines that the GAA didn’t open the Webexpenses system to counties until January 31, leading to a delay in the payment of expenses to players.
Nugent took to social media to highlight the ongoing issue: “Inter-county training officially allowed back on 24th November and players haven't received 1 penny of expenses up to this point.
“Players (especially student athletes with no other income) are out a lot of money in the middle of a cost of living crisis.
“There's not enough being said about it. Players generate massive amounts of money each year for the GAA.
“The least we’re owed is the expenses that we get promised, paid on time.”
Nugent’s Armagh colleague, Aidan Forker said: “If we threatened not to bother playing at the weekend they'd soon scramble to get the system up and going instead of citing 'technical updates with WebExpense system.'
“The Gaelic Players Association need to be stronger on getting this sorted. Significant financial issues for students especially!”
The GPA note to members said: “We have expressed our dissatisfaction to Croke Park.
“They have committed to having this work complete by latest tomorrow (today) so those squads will be up and running by COB (close of business).”
The missive continues: “The GPA will continue to push centrally with Croke Park to ensure all squads are up and running asap.
“It is not acceptable for players still to be out of pocket for expenses at this stage, and thank you for all your messages of concern.”
Fears have been expressed in some quarters that players involved in panels since the November 24 return to training date, who have since been dropped, may not receive any expenses now.
40 squad lists have been uploaded to the system, with players now able to claim their expenses.
Currently inter-county players in the 26 counties receive 70 cent per mile, capped at 7000 miles, meaning a player could claim up to €4900 per annmum at the top rate.
After 7000 miles the rate drops to 40 cent per mile.
The figure in the remaining six counties is £0.40, due to revenue issues.
However, to compensate the weekly nutritional allowance for those players has been increased from £28 to £37, an annual increase in excess of £300.
County Boards pay the first 50 cent of every mile, with the GAA footing the remainder of the bill and also paying the nutritional allowance.
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