THE PSNI's Gaelic football team withdrew from a Co Down tournament after it learned other clubs had been told it was participating, the event's organisers have said.
Banbridge-based Clann na Banna Club, which organised the tournament, said it invited the St Michael's PSNI team to take part in Saturday's over-35s 'dads and lads' event, aimed at widening participation in the sport.
It said it told other teams that St Michael's would be involved, at which point the PSNI decided to withdraw.
The Belfast Telegraph reported that some members of other clubs were unhappy that police officers would be involved.
One unnamed member of St Michael’s told the newspaper: "It’s all a bit of a throwback to the early 2000s and is really disappointing. It was intended to just be a fun day out. I had hoped we were past all this."
However, Clann na Banna Club stressed that no participating team objected to the PSNI club taking part.
"The tournament was discussed at an executive meeting earlier this week and after all participating teams were confirmed it was agreed that all teams should be advised of the participating of the St Michael's team - this was to avoid any confusion with a Co Down GAA Club of the same name," Clann na Banna said.
"When advised of this the St Michael's PSNI team withdrew from the tournament.
"Contrary to some media reports, the Clann na Banna Club wish to make it absolutely clear that no participating team objected to the participation of St Michael's.
"Their decision to withdraw from the tournament was solely their decision."
Rule 21, a century-long ban on members of the security forces from playing GAA, was scrapped by the organisation in 2001.
A PSNI spokeswoman said St Michael's is committed to taking part in future tournaments.
"The Police Service of Northern Ireland’s GAA team St Michael’s was invited to play in a one day blitz in Banbridge on the 30th July, however following consideration of a range of factors, a decision was taken to withdraw from the tournament," she said.
"The Police Service maintains a good relationship with the GAA and Ulster Council and will continue to engage with those within the GAA community. St Michael’s remains committed to participating in future tournaments and events whenever possible."
DUP Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart said she was concerned by the PSNI team's withdrawal from the event.
"The objections to the PSNI team may not have been coming from a majority of opposition players, but even the actions of a small number need to be challenged and it clearly indicates that an issue exists," she said.
"The question must still be asked whether there is a will to challenge such behaviour from within civic and political nationalism."
