Basketball Ireland slammed for hypocritical stance on upcoming Israel fixture

They taken a stance.

Baskeball Ireland have released a statement in regards to their participation in the upcoming FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers.

Ireland have been drawn in a group alongside Israel, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina and Luxembourg, and there had been speculation that they might pull out.

The statement makes it clear that Ireland have contacted FIBA Europe over "the suffering being faced by the people of Gaza" due to the ongoing Israeli genocide, and have also asked for their games to be played in a neutral venue.

However, they have stated that to withdraw from the tournament would be too damaging to the team, with a ban from the 2029 qualifies, and fines of up to €180,000.

On X, they have been heavily criticised for their stance, with people pointing out that Ireland had previously written to FIBA to tell them that they would not fulfil their fixture with Belarus in the 2023 qualifiers, due to their support of Russia in their war with Ukraine.

At the time, Basketball Ireland CEO, John Feehan, said: “We wrote to FIBA earlier this month to say that we would not fulfil the upcoming FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 Qualifiers against Belarus in November and February, due to their support of Russia and the ongoing war in Ukraine."

The full statement reads:

"After extensive deliberation with various stakeholders, the Board of Basketball Ireland has decided that Ireland will compete in the upcoming FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers. Mindful of the dreadful humanitarian situation in Gaza, the Board seriouslyconsidered all options available, including a withdrawal from the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers.

"Ultimately it is not individual federations, such as Basketball Ireland, who determine who is permitted to enter and play international tournaments, it is the responsibility of FIBA Europe and other international sporting bodies. Whilst we fully acknowledge the tragic events of October 7th, 2023, Basketball Ireland is deeply concerned with the ongoing suffering being faced by the people of Gaza and has raised this with FIBA Europe. We have also informed FIBA Europe that we will only face Israel in a neutral venue.

"Basketball Ireland has already experienced a 14-year absence from international basketball in the recent past. We have since worked tirelessly on and off the court to return to the highest level and the punitive sanctions from FIBA Europe should we elect not to participate in FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers would be extremely damaging to Irish basketball and the women’s game.

Basketball Ireland CEO, John Feehan, said: “The Board of Basketball Ireland have given lengthy consideration over our participation in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers. Facing Israel in these circumstances is not a scenario we would wish, but there has been no change in Israel’s status within sport, made by FIBA Europe, the IOC or any other major sporting body. FIBA Europe have been quite clear to us that sanctions would be imposed on Basketball Ireland, should we elect not to play, which would be hugely damagingto the sport here.

“Naturally there is major concern about the suffering being inflicted on the people of Gaza, which is frankly unacceptable. We would implore all parties in the current conflict to return to peace and for humanitarian aid to be fully restored to Gaza.” 

"Upon commencement of FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers competition, Basketball Ireland would have been subject to a fine of up to €80,000 should Ireland fail to fulfil their first fixture with Israel, while failure to play the return game would lead to an additional fine of up to €100,000 and removal from the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers, as well as the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2029 Qualifiers.  

"Should Basketball Ireland have elected to withdraw from the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers campaign entirely before it commenced, a fine of up to €30,000 would be applied, while FIBA Europe rules state that there is an option to impose further sanctions,including disqualification from future competitions and additional financial penalties.

"Ireland are in Group A of FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers, alongside Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel and Luxembourg. They begin their campaign with home games against Luxembourg and Bosnia and Herzegovina on November 12th and 15th, followed by an away game against Israel on November 18th."