The GAA has opted to maintain their relationship with Allianz despite calls from a number of county boards to end its association with the insurance group.
A meeting of the GAA’s An Coiste BainistÃochta took place on Friday where it heard a report from the Ethics and Integrity Commission (EIC) on the issue, and it was ultimately decider to accept the recommendation of the EIC.
“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,” the GAA said.
Antrim, Armagh Derry, Down, Fermanagh, Offaly, Roscommon and Tyrone all passed motions at their county conventions calling for their removal.
It comes after Allianz, through its German parent company, was among a series of companies listed in a report by UN special rapporteur on Human Rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese.
In August, close to 800 current and former players handed in an open letter and petition to management at Croke Park, calling on the association to drop Allianz insurance as a sponsor for GAA games.
It was handed over at GAA HQ in Dublin and received by an official there.
The open letter to Ard-Stiúrthóir of the GAA Tom Ryan called on the organisation to demonstrate its commitment to its principles and to international humanitarian law.
In a statement, the GAA outlined a number of reasons for coming to their decison.
“Factors cited in the report included:
“If the GAA was to terminate its contracts with Allianz it would be impossible to secure an alternative insurer that would not have similar links.
“The unilateral termination of the contract with Allianz plc by the GAA could expose the Association to legal consequences apart from loss of sponsorship.
“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.
“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’.
“The report 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.”