Basketball Ireland Statement regarding FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 Qualifier against Israel

Basketball Ireland acknowledge the ongoing concerns and sentiment around the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 Qualifier against Israel. We have been in ongoing liaison with coaching staff and players regarding this fixture since the conflict in the region began.

Basketball Ireland has been in constant communication with FIBA Europe around this fixture, stating that we would be unable to travel to Israel with player and staff welfare our primary concern. The fixture, which was originally due to take place in Israel in November, was postponed until February 8^th and will be held at a neutral venue in Riga, Latvia, at Basketball Ireland’s request. 

Basketball Ireland will be fulfilling our Group E fixture, as forfeiting the game would lead to a very significant fine from FIBA Europe and could put at serious risk our participation in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 qualifiers and exclusion from the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers.

Other sporting entities have continued to participate in fixtures with Israel, something which Taoiseach Leo Varadkar recently acknowledged.