ireland women’s basketball, On Thursday, the player, who was competing in the 2025 EuroBasket qualifiers, refused to shake Israel’s hand before the game after one of the Israeli basketball players accused the team of anti-Semitism.
Basketball Ireland released a statement before the game, announcing that they had been notified. fiba europe Teams requested not to shake hands with Israelis before or after games and not to share center court with opponents during the national anthem.
The Irish and Israeli flags are flown alongside the FIBA flag during the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Championship qualifying match between Israel and Ireland at the Rimi Olympic Center in Riga, Latvia. (Oksana Zadan/Sports File via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
“The Basketball Association of Ireland informed FIBA Europe yesterday that as a direct result of recent statements, the following: Israeli player In response to coaching staff containing inflammatory and completely inaccurate accusations of anti-Semitism published on the Israeli federation’s official channels, our players will participate in traditional pre-match arrangements with their upcoming opponents. We will not,” the statement reads.
“This will include gift exchanges and formal handshakes before and after the game, but players will line up on the bench for the Irish national anthem rather than on center court. The Basketball Association of Ireland will fully support the players’ decisions. We will support you.”
The Israeli team stands on the court and the Irish team stands on the bench during the national anthem before the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Championship qualifier match between Israel and Ireland at the Rimi Olympic Center in Riga, Latvia. (Oksana Zadan/Sports File via Getty Images)
Israelis displaced by terrorist attacks receive thousands of pounds of donated food thanks to bloggers
The disdain followed comments from Dor Sar, who made his national team debut on Thursday, published in an Israel Basketball Association article earlier this week.
“It is known that they are pretty anti-semitic It’s no secret and maybe that’s why we expect a strong match,” she said.
“We have to show that we are better than them and win. We talk about it among ourselves. We know they don’t love us and we always have to be on the field. I’m going to leave it all behind and especially for this game.”
The Israeli team celebrates their victory after the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket Championship qualifying match between Israel and Ireland at the Rimi Olympic Center in Riga, Latvia. (Oksana Zadan/Sports File via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Sarr’s comments followed calls for Ireland to boycott the match. According to the BBC, Basketball Ireland CEO John Feehan said his team had been told they would be subject to a hefty fine if they boycotted the match.
“I’m sure we’re going to take a significant hit because we actually asked is there an alternative to playing this game or any other game and from that perspective, it doesn’t exist. body,” he said.
Israel won the game 87-57.
Follow Fox News Digital X sports broadcast and subscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
