Basketball Ireland has formally announced its decision to move forward with the 2027 Women's EuroBasket qualifiers against Israel. This resolution comes after considerable internal discussion, which explored various options including a potential withdrawal from the competition. The governing body cited the severe repercussions of a boycott, such as substantial financial penalties and exclusion from subsequent tournaments, as key factors influencing its choice to compete. While committed to fulfilling the fixtures, Basketball Ireland has stipulated to FIBA, European basketball's governing body, that all matches against Israel must occur at a neutral site.
The path to this decision was fraught with challenges. In July, Basketball Ireland had indicated a need to 'assess next steps' upon being drawn against Israel, expressing significant concern over the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Despite these reservations, a comprehensive review of their options, including the possibility of withdrawing, led them to conclude that participating was the most viable course of action to safeguard the sport's future in Ireland. John Feehan, the chief executive of Basketball Ireland, emphasized that while playing Israel under the current circumstances was not ideal, no major sporting body had altered Israel's status within international sport. He also highlighted FIBA Europe's clear warning of severe sanctions if Ireland chose not to compete, which would have been detrimental to Irish basketball, particularly for the women's game.
Historically, Irish basketball has faced prolonged absences from international competitions, enduring a 14-year hiatus in the recent past. The prospect of further punitive measures, such as an €80,000 fine for boycotting the first fixture and an additional €100,000 for failing to play the return game, coupled with removal from the 2027 and 2029 EuroBasket campaigns, made withdrawal an untenable option. Even a pre-qualification withdrawal would have resulted in a €30,000 fine. These financial and competitive penalties underscored the difficult position Basketball Ireland found itself in, ultimately leading them to prioritize the continuity and development of the sport.
This is not the first instance of a tense encounter between the two nations since the conflict in Gaza escalated in October 2023. During a 2025 EuroBasket qualifier in February 2024, Ireland's team declined to shake hands with their Israeli counterparts and stood apart during the national anthems as a form of protest. This action prompted remarks from Israeli player Dor Saar, who labeled the Irish team 'quite antisemitic,' and coach Sharon Drucker, who felt Ireland 'did not respect' the game's spirit. Basketball Ireland refuted Saar's comments as 'inflammatory and wholly inaccurate' and reported them to FIBA Europe. Although FIBA issued a warning to Ireland for their protest, subsequent encounters, including a second EuroBasket qualifier in Riga in November, saw Irish players participate in the anthems and handshakes, indicating a compliance with international sporting protocols despite underlying tensions. Ireland's group for the qualifiers also includes Luxembourg and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The ultimate decision to proceed with the EuroBasket qualifiers against Israel, while not without internal reservations, reflects Basketball Ireland's pragmatic approach to navigating complex geopolitical issues within the framework of international sports governance. By choosing to compete under specific conditions, such as playing at neutral venues, the organization seeks to balance its moral stance with the imperative to protect its athletes and the sport from severe penalties that could jeopardize its long-term future.
