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Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Basketball Ireland confirm Ireland to compete v Israel in EuroBasket qualifiers
Basketball Ireland have confirmed that the Irish team will compete in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers but will only face Israel on neutral ground again. Ireland are in Group A of the qualifiers alongside Bosnia and Herzegovina, Israel and Luxembourg, and begin their campaign with home games against Luxembourg and Bosnia and Herzegovina on November 12 and 15, followed by an away game against Israel on November 18. The home leg is due to take place on St Patrick's Day next year. There was controversy when the sides met twice last November in Riga in the 2025 qualifiers, with the Irish players staging a protest by refusing to shake hands with their opponents and standing for the national anthem by their bench. Several top players chose not to play in the fixture in Riga. In a statement released this afternoon, the body said that it considered all options, including a withdrawal from the qualifiers, due to Israel's continuing war on Gaza. However Basketball Ireland said that it faced a fine of €30,000 and possibly further sanctions - including disqualification from future competitions and additional financial penalties - had it chosen to withdraw from the qualifying campaign entirely before it started. Worse, the body would be subject to a €80,000 fine if Ireland fail to fulfil their first fixture with Israel - and that failure to play the return game would lead to an additional fine of up to €100,000, plus removal from the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers and as the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2029 qualifiers. Basketball Ireland says that it engaged in 'extensive deliberation with various stakeholders' and is 'mindful of the dreadful humanitarian situation in Gaza', but claimed that it is the responsibility of FIBA Europe and other international sporting bodies to determine who is permitted to enter and play international tournaments. John Feehan, Basketball Ireland CEO (Image: ©INPHO/Bryan Keane) FIBA Europe's next board meeting is due to take place three days before the November qualifier, when there will be a discussion about potentially banning Israel from international competition. The statement added: '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 damaging to 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.' Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email .
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Basketball Ireland to fulfill Israel qualifier but only at neutral venue
Basketball Ireland have announced they will fulfill their fixture against Israel in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers, provided it is held at a neutral venue. The association admitted recently that they were "assessing next steps" having been drawn away the Israelis in Group A, along with home fixtures against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Luxembourg, in the qualifying stage which is set to begin in November. But in a statement released on Friday, Basketball Ireland confirmed they will take on Israel on November 18th, but only if it is played elsewhere. "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 seriously considered 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. "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." Basketball Ireland CEO John Feehan, added: '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 damaging to 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.'
Irish Examiner
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Basketball Ireland 'assessing next steps' after being drawn with Israel in Women's EuroBasket qualifiers
Basketball Ireland are "assessing our next steps" after being drawn to face Israel in the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers. The Girls in Green were also drawn in Group A alongside Bosnia and Herzegovina and Luxembourg in the qualifying stage which is set to begin in Novemeber. Ireland are currently facing a trip to Israel on November 18th but in a statement released on Wednesday, shortly after the draw was made, the associaition outlined the ramifications should they decide against taking part in the fixure. "Basketball Ireland is extremely alarmed by the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza and as such we are assessing our next steps following today's FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers draw, which saw Ireland drawn in Group A alongside Israel, in addition to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Luxembourg. "Basketball Ireland have spoken to FIBA Europe subsequently and are awaiting clarifications on a number of matters. "Basketball Ireland will also be liaising with players, coaching staff, Sport Ireland, the Government, and other stakeholders over the coming days and we will provide an update next week. "Ireland are due to begin their FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers campaign with back-to-back home games against Luxembourg on November 12th, followed by Bosnia and Herzegovina on November 15th, before an away game against Israel on November 18th. "Upon commencement of the competition, Basketball Ireland would be 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 a 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 elect to withdraw from the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers campaign entirely before they commence, a fine of up to €30,000 would be applied, while FIBA Europe rules state that they 'may impose additional sanctions according to the FIBA Internal Regulations - Book 1 - General Provisions (Chapter 6)', which includes 'disqualification from a competition in progress and/or exclusion from future competitions'."
CBC
12-07-2025
- Sport
- CBC
FIBA Women's 3X3 Basketball Series: DAY 1 - Afternoon
Watch the afternoon session from the opening day of the FIBA Women's 3X3 Basketball Series stop at ParkLake Shopping Center in Bucharest, Romania.
The 42
05-06-2025
- Sport
- The 42
James Weldon reappointed as basketball head coach of Ireland women's team
JAMES WELDON HAS been reappointed as head coach of the Ireland senior women's team for the FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers in November. Weldon was first appointed to the position in 2018, and his extension was confirmed at a recent meeting of Basketball Ireland's Elite Performance Committee (EPC) ahead of the qualifying draw in August. Advertisement This will be Weldon's third FIBA Women's EuroBasket campaign having steered the side through the 2023 and 2025 qualifiers. He previously guided Ireland to a silver medal in the FIBA European Championship for Small Countries in 2021. Basketball Ireland Hall of Famer, Jillian Hayes, UCD Marian head coach Ioannis Liapakis and Team Manager Dolores Geaney will also return as part of Weldon's coaching staff for the next two years. 'The previous FIBA Women's EuroBasket campaign was incredibly challenging to navigate,' Weldon said following his reappointment. 'I'm very excited to find out who our opponents will be for the forthcoming qualifiers and embracing a new format which will give us more time in camp during each window. 'We hope we can build on the great team performance against Latvia last time out, when we came agonisingly close to causing an upset. We have strong squad depth now, having brought in a number of new players over the last couple of years, which should stand us in good stead when we return to competitive action.' The FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers first round will see Ireland drawn in a four-team group, with three fixtures this November, followed by three fixtures in February 2026. The FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers second round then begins in November 2026 and concludes in February 2027, with three games in each window.
