Criticism of the final between Slaughtneil and Magherafelt has centred on the apparent lack of social distancing among spectators
DUP Foyle MLA Gary Middleton said he had been shocked by images from the senior men’s football final in Bellaghy.
Derry GAA said it had taken measures, including changing grounds, to ensure Covid-19 guidelines were followed.
It comes as the GAA announced that it has paused all club fixtures with “immediate effect”.
The organisation said the decision “has been taken in the interest of public safety following a number of incidents that have been brought to our attention in recent days”.
“In particular, post-match celebrations and a lack of social distancing at certain events have proved disappointing and problematic,” it added.
The match between Slaughtneil and Magherafelt was moved from Derry’s Celtic Park to Bellaghy, in the Mid-Ulster Council area, after stricter Covid-19 restrictions were introduced in the Derry and Strabane Council area.
Derry GAA said it moved the game as it did not want spectators entering the city given the high rate of Covid-19 cases.
“It was an all-ticket event with restricted numbers and advice on GAA and health protocols were, including social distancing, widely communicated in the lead-up to and during the game,” the organisation said.
It added that it had taken the decision to “play an intermediate final and junior semi-final fixtures at the weekend behind closed doors as there were teams from the Derry City and Strabane Council playing in each of the games”.
Gary Middleton, a Foyle MLA, called on the GAA to “step up and show leadership” and noted his own constituency had rising case numbers.
He called on the police to investigate.
Said the Foyle MLA: “The scenes of crowds at the GAA game in Bellaghy yesterday is nothing short of a disgrace.
“The GAA need to step up and show leadership.
At a time when my constituency is under further restrictions, the actions yesterday is an affront to all those trying to keep safe.”
Sporting events are omitted from rules that limit outdoor gatherings to 15 people, and some spectators are allowed – but within strict restrictions.
Under guidelines issues by the Department for Communities, spectators are required to be two metres apart..
A crowd management plan should be in place too, with a one-way system to avoid congestion as spectators enter and leave a stadium.
Where possible, ticketing and booking should be used, to allow for social distancing within seated venues.
A specific maximum number of spectators allowed is not given by the department.
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