Gaelic Games/News round-up: RTÉ television has responded to criticism from the Gaelic Players' Association (GPA) regarding refusal to allow players use post- match interviews to advertise a sports drink by pointing out such practice is illegal under Irish and EU law.

The national broadcaster clarified their position on product placement yesterday with the following statement: "RTÉ programming is bound by both national and EU law. Surreptitious advertising - which has become increasingly of concern in the recent past - is prohibited under Irish law and EU Law. Where intended breaches are brought to RTÉ's attention, RTÉ Television has no choice but to implement the guidelines under which it must operate."

Irish law states surreptitious advertising is illegal if it is done in return for "payment or for similar consideration". Players have been receiving a €500 fee for advertising Club Energise in recent post-match interviews.

The GPA released a "holding statement" yesterday before presenting their official stance, which they intend to do when RTÉ respond to a meeting held between the two over a week ago.

However, they condemned RTÉ's decision to "prohibit players from consuming Energise Sport during post-match interviews". The players group said the drinks company, who are the main sponsors of the GPA, had not suggested such a course of action. "The incentive for players to drink Energise Sport during interviews was proposed by players, not C&C. Energise Sport is a players brand and the GAA's decision to ban the product as an 'unsuitable advertiser' in Gaelic games infuriated the playing body."

They go on to call RTÉ's stance "lamentable given the co-operation the national broadcaster has enjoyed from those players who deliver audiences of many millions to their benefit each year."

By comparing a recent rugby interview, the statement implies RTÉ showed bias regarding "subtle promotion of a sports drink". It states Cork hurler Brian Corcoran was denied this opportunity during a post-match interview last Sunday, while Leicester players Martin Johnson and Lewis Moody "were accommodated and unhindered" in an interview after their match against Leinster on April 2nd.

RTÉ stated: "While we endeavour to police all programmes, a few isolated incidents of this type of advertising have occurred across a very small number of broadcasts."