Ireland’s women’s basketball team is at the center of a major anti-Semitic controversy over their Women’s European Championship qualifier against Israel.
Basketball Ireland on Wednesday reacted angrily to accusations by Israeli debutant Dr Sarr that the Irish side are known to be “very anti-Semitic”.
Her comments, posted on the Israel Basketball Federation’s website on Tuesday, follow a statement from Basketball Ireland last month in which they “expressed strong concerns, including the option not to play the game against Israel.” Ta. Response to the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7th.
Telegraph Sport reported that some Irish players had chosen not to travel to the first of two qualifying matches between the two teams on Thursday. The qualifier was postponed from its original November date due to the ongoing war in Gaza and was subsequently moved from Israel to Riga, Latvia.
The riots came amid heavy pressure on Ireland’s national team from pro-Palestinian activists to boycott the match.
Coach Searle said of the Irish side: “They are known to be quite anti-Semitic, it’s no secret, and maybe that’s why a strong match is expected.
“We have to prove that we are better than them and win. We talk about it ourselves, we know they hate us and always and this I’m going to leave everything on the field, especially in games.”
Following her comments, Basketball Ireland has lodged a formal complaint with tournament organizer Fiba Europe.
“Basketball Ireland is deeply disappointed by these inflammatory and completely inaccurate accusations. Basketball Ireland refutes these allegations against our players in the strongest possible terms,” the complaint said. We have raised this issue with FIBA Europe.”
Basketball Ireland previously defended its decision to play Thursday’s match, saying in a statement last month that doing so would impose a “effective five-year ban on the women’s senior team at international level”.
He also said he would face a fine of up to €80,000 (£68,000) and a further €100,000 (£85,000) if he fails to meet the conditions for reinstatement later this year.
Basketball Ireland chief executive John Feehan told RTE on Wednesday: “”
Mr Feehan said that for organizations like his, “it’s all about money”, adding: Essentially, you’re losing a generation of players.
“What’s happening in Gaza is horrific, we all acknowledge that. The question is whether this will bring about change in the Israeli government, and frankly I don’t think this will bring about change blindly. not.
“It will destroy the women’s international game in our country for the next 10 years.”
Irish Sport for Palestine called on Basketball Ireland to boycott the match, claiming that playing the game would “ruin” the organization’s reputation.
Irish Sport for Palestine reported: “John Feehan claims boycotting the game against Israel would be ‘ruinous’ for Basketball Ireland.” “Well, Irish Sport for Palestine has said that playing against Israel, not in our name, will be “ruined” for him and Basketball Ireland’s reputation forever. They must commit to boycotting Israeli games now. ”
FIBA Europe announced Thursday’s match will be played behind closed doors due to safety concerns.