Protest against Allianz sponsorship to take place at Mayo v Dublin game

A protest against Allianz’s continued sponsorship of the GAA national football and hurling leagues will take place outside MacHale Park today.

It is being organised by the Mayo Irish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign and will take place before the Division 1 football clash between Mayo and Dublin.

The protest comes at Mayo’s first home league game after the GAA’s decision to maintain its relationship with Allianz despite calls to end its association with the insurance group.

Organisers say they wish to send a ‘clear message’ to the GAA: “Our games, our values, Allianz out now.” 

“We will be holding a peaceful protest and handing out information leaflets to supporters as they head into the stadium. This is an important opportunity to reach the grassroots GAA community and highlight why Allianz must be dropped as a sponsor,” said a spokesperson.

They are gathering outside the Bacon Factory end from 12pm. The game throws in at 1.30pm.

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 as having continued links with the Israeli government.

There was a noticeable lack of Allianz signage behind players and managers conducting TV interviews in the opening round of the football and hurling leagues. Derry and Tyrone supporters protested before their league clash in Derry last night and a number of other protests are expected to take place before games today.

Ten counties passed motions calling for the GAA to cut ties with Allianz, but in December the association's management committee accepting the report from the Ethics and Integrity Commission and decided to maintain the sponsorship agreement.

In August, almost 800 current and former players handed in an open letter and petition to management at Croke Park, calling on the GAA to drop Allianz as a sponsor for GAA games.