Players of the Gaelic Athletic Association expressing discontent over the association's partnership with Allianz in a sponsorship agreement
In a significant development, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) has received an open letter from nearly 800 football, hurling, and camogie players, expressing concerns over the organisation's partnership with insurance giant, Allianz. The letter, delivered to Tom Ryan, the director general of the GAA, at a protest outside Croke Park, alleges that Allianz's financial ties are enabling the genocide of the Palestinian people.
Signatories of the letter include notable figures such as Dr David Hickey, Neil McManus, Peter Canavan, Tomás Ó Sé, Joe Brolly, Shane McGuigan, Niall Cahalane, Terence 'Sambo' McNaughton, Michael Darragh McAuley, Aoife Ní Chasáide, Jane Adams, Brendan Devenney, Greg McCartan, Sorcha Gormley, and Danny Sutcliffe.
The concerns stem from Allianz's involvement in the financing of Israeli Treasury Bonds, as reported by the United Nations. A UN report published in June found that asset management firms including Pimco, owned by German-based financial services company Allianz, was a significant buyer of these bonds. These bonds, according to the report, play a "critical role in funding the ongoing assault on Gaza".
Allianz, however, has maintained that its partnership with the GAA is about supporting Irish sport and communities. In a statement, the company claimed that all its business decisions are guided by strict legal standards and world-leading Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. Allianz did not comment on individual customers or business matters in its statement.
Ms Nodlaig Ní Bhrollaigh, a barrister and former Derry footballer, believes that the GAA community should be doing "heightened human rights due diligence" regarding its relationship with Allianz. She interprets the large number of signatures as a reflection of "how deeply people feel about" the issue. Signatory Ní Bhrollaigh further stated that if the GAA is committed to international humanitarian law and human rights, it should cease its relationship with Allianz.
The organisation mentioned in the open letter as being behind the financing of Israeli Treasury Bonds is not explicitly named in the provided search results. However, the issue has sparked a heated debate within the GAA community, with many players calling for transparency and ethical business practices from their sponsors.
