GPA boss Dessie Farrell says comments made by him in the past which hinted at a positive view towards pay-for-play were made in a different climate and don't reflect his organisation's present stance. Back in 2002, Farrell made some revealing comments on the GPA's website which the 'Of One Belief' group have latched onto. "We need to crawl before we can walk and also in the current climate the expense rate is more acceptable in media circles as how we are perceived is very important as present," Farrell is quoted as saying at the time. "Having said that, it should not prevent us from harbouring private opinions on this with long-term objectives. "At the moment though, let's take it one battle at a time until the war is won," Farrell concluded. However while Farrell admits he "probably" did make those comments then (2002) he insists the remarks were written in a much different climate of relations. "At the time the Eur127 expenses for inter-county players was in that domain," Farrell explained. "Shortly afterwards it was Charlie McCreevy and tax breaks, then it morphed again into Government grants," Farrell reflected. "The relationship was very different back then, it was one based on hostility and suspicion. Thankfully, that's not the case now. "We're on the record countless times saying we are not about pay-for-play. In the grants document we have re-emphasised the need to uphold the integrity of the amateur status." Tweet

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