The referee who will take charge of Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final between Waterford and Kilkenny is facing the prospect of a one-month ban from all GAA-related activity.
Brian Gavin, who has taken charge of three All-Ireland finals, has been slapped with a one-match ban for comments he made towards another official after a club fixture in an Offaly club game.
With Gavin appealing the decision, he is likely to remain in charge of this weekend's semi-final whilst a verdict is pending on his appeal. The suspension comes after a proposal from the Offaly County Board Competitions Control Committee (CCC), and is a blanket ban for 30 days.
Should Gavin lose his appeal, he will not be eligible to take control for next-month's All-Ireland final.
Gavin is the current Clara GAA chairman, and was reported by referee Pauric Pierce for comments made during a county Junior football championship quarter-final between Clara and Kilclonfert last month. Gavin's alleged comments came after Kilclonfert advanced to the semi-final.
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Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
