MEATH have decided not to appeal against the suspensions handed down by the Games Administration Committee to eight of the county football team and the £5,000 fine imposed on the county board.

Mayo look likely to follow suit although they have provisionally [decided to appeal everything but indications from within the county suggested that this decision will be reviewed tomorrow in the light of Meath's statement and the wishes of the players.

So the controversy surrounding the All-Ireland final replay and its aftermath has moved a step closer to resolution. Meath's county board yesterday issued a statement saying that they would not be pursuing the matter as a unit although they would support any player who wished individually to take a case.

"The deadline for lodging appeals is tomorrow but Meath officials were not aware of any player planning an individual appeal. County secretary Liam Creavin said: "We certainly don't know of any as yet. There've been no indications."

Colm Coyle, who had been reported as considering an appeal against his four-month suspension, is unlikely to take the matter any further. I can't see much point," he said last night. "Even if it was cut to two months. I'd still miss the county championship."

The grounds for a potential Mayo appeal are believed to be largely technical but the intention of lodging one is seen in some quarters as largely tactical and unlikely to be proceeded with. in the light of Meath's withdrawal. Team manager. John Maughan, is dubious about the merits of appealing.

"I haven't heard what the decision is," he said yesterday evening, "but as far as I'm concerned. the thing is history. If the county board lodge it, they lodge it but I'd be happy to see it die. That's my opinion. I want it finished."

Late last night, Father Noel Forde, chairman of the Mayo county board, confirmed that a rethink was in motion. "We may not be sticking with that decision (the county board's weekend decision to go ahead with an appeal) but we're letting it sit at that for the moment.

There will be further consideration before the appeal is proceeded with. We will consider it in light of Meath's statement and in the light of what our fellas have to say. We'll contact them to see if they're anxious to go ahead with appeals and we're supporting them in whatever they want to do. We don't want this to drag on and we are not a crowd of whingers."

Mayo's grounds for appeal are technical. They have raised objections to the composition of the GAC - essentially the presence of two men, one of whom, the national refereeing administrator Paddy Collins, they argue shouldn't have been there, although he didn't have a vote, and another committee member who they argue was invalidly appointed, was also expressed about the visit of referee Pat McEnaney to both counties in advance of the replayed All-Ireland as there is a feeling in Mayo that misunderstandings arose in consequence. A final decision on the appeal is expected today or tomorrow.

Meath's statement was comprehensive and included elements of remorse, anger and vigorously argued defence. There was also strong criticism of the leaking of the GAC suspensions to Dublin radio station 98FM.

The very start of the statement contained an apology: "We acknowledge that the incident which gave rise to these penalties was wrong and we and our players apologise for its occurrence.

"We wish to state that our team management has never condoned nor encouraged involvement by our players in any improper conduct, and, particularly assure the association and the public at large that there is no policy of "one in, all in" in matches involving our team

"We are adamant that the victory was achieved entirely on merit and are saddened that the controversy relating to the replay of the final has been allowed to obscure the great merit of their victory.

"We therefore strongly resent the vilifying, intemperate and seriously damaging language used about them since the All-Ireland final replay. However, we are concerned that the penalties imposed on our board and players have come about as the result of selective viewing of video material. We are unhappy that justice has not been administered with an even hand in all cases, and we feel that the selection of those to be summoned was decided on an arbitrary basis. Therefore we will support individual appeals from players who wish to make such appeals. We have no plans to appeal the penalties imposed on the board.

"We believe that Meath players were not the culprits in the initiation of the fracas which occurred and see no evidence that due account was taken of this fact. We are also disappointed that other unsavoury incidents during the course of the match do not appear to have been considered. despite the fact that they have been highlighted.

"This board now regards discussion of these matters as closed. and no further statements will be issued. We ask that our team management and our players be now left undisturbed."