Israel debutante, Dor Sa’ar, labelled the Irish team ‘antisemitic ’ when asked about game in an interview on the Israeli Basketball Federation’s website on Tuesday.
“It’s known that they are quite antisemitic and it’s no secret, and maybe that’s why a strong game is expected,” Sa’ar said in that interview.
“We have to show that we’re better than them and win. We talk about it among ourselves, We know they don’t like us and we will leave everything on the field always and in this game especially.”
Today’s Sport News in 90 Seconds – 7th February
Ireland’s governing body has strongly denied these allegations in a statement to the Irish Independent this afternoon, saying it raised the issue with the European Basketball Federation, FIBA Europe.
“Basketball Ireland is aware of comments made by a member of the Israeli team and published on official Israeli Federation channels, ahead of this week’s FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 Qualifier,” the statement read.
“Basketball Ireland is extremely disappointed by these accusations, which are both inflammatory and wholly inaccurate. Basketball Ireland would refute these allegations towards our players in the strongest possible terms and we have raised this matter with FIBA Europe.”
The Irish team have come under pressure from campaign group Irish Sport for Palestine to boycott the fixture against a backdrop of Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza.
The governing body has previously insisted it must play the game to avoid fines of up to €80,000 for not fulfilling Thursday’s match and a further €100,000 fine and an ‘effective five-year ban’ if the team refuse to play November’s second leg.
These comments come after the Israeli team welcomed armed IDF soldiers to a training camp in Tel Aviv earlier this week as the coach Sharon Drucker called for the release of hostages held by Hamas.
International governing body, FIBA Europe, said Thursday’s game will be played behind closed doors over security concerns in the neutral venue of Riga, Latvia.
The game was originally due to be played in Israel last November but was subsequently postponed following the outbreak of the conflict.
A Department for Sport spokesman has said that Ireland’s clash with Israel remains a matter for Basketball Ireland.
“The Irish Government continues to call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and for full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access,” they said.
“The Government does not have a role in relation to the setting, or fulfilment, of sporting fixtures by any sporting organisation, including Basketball Ireland. Ultimately, such matters are a decision for the sporting organisations themselves, which are independent and autonomous entities.
“Basketball Ireland has made the decision to honour its fixture commitment. It has set out its reasons for doing so and we must acknowledge its independence and autonomy in arriving at this decision.
“It should be noted that sporting entities in other countries have continued to honour fixture schedules with Israel.”