The GAA will maintain its relationship with Allianz despite calls from players and some county boards to end its association with the insurance company.
In August an open letter signed by 800 current and former players was handed into Croke Park calling for the GAA to cease its association with its long-term sponsor.
It came after Allianz Insurance was listed in a report by the UN Special Rapporteur On Human Rights as a company that has profited from Israel’s military activities in Gaza and the Occupied Territories.
Allianz has been a leading sponsor of the GAA’s National Leagues since 1993.
After the GAA decision to continue its association with the company calls are being made to boycott games in the new year.
Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh, Offaly, Roscommon and Tyrone have passed motions at county conventions calling for the GAA to end its association with Allianz.
After a meeting of the GAA’s An Coiste Bainistíochta, where it heard a report from the Ethics and Integrity Commission, the GAA outlined the reason for its decision in a statement, saying that if the GAA terminated its contracts with Allianz “it would be impossible to secure an alternative insurer that would not have similar links."
It added: “The unilateral termination of the contract with Allianz plc by the GAA could expose the Association to legal consequences apart from loss of sponsorship.
“The GAA is ethically and legally bound to honour its contracts and a failure to do so has the potential to damage its reputation and undermine its ability to do business with commercial entities.
“Allianz plc has no involvement with the IDF or corporate entities involved in the war in Gaza. Any such relationship is with a ‘sibling or cousin company.'"
Sinn Féin TD Joanna Byrne said she was disappointed by the decision.
“I do not envy the GAA Board having to explain their vote to stay with Allianz at Congress in February,” she said.
“The GAA board have made their decision, but this issue is not finished yet.”
