Current:Home > InvestIreland women's team declines pregame pleasantries after Israeli player's antisemitism accusation-LoTradeCoin
Ireland women's team declines pregame pleasantries after Israeli player's antisemitism accusation
View Date:2024-12-23 22:11:37
RIGA, Latvia (AP) — The Ireland women's team shunned normal pre-match courtesies when it faced Israel in EuroBasket qualifying on Thursday after being outraged by accusations of antisemitism by an Israeli player.
The accusations by Israel player Dor Saar on the Israeli Basketball Association's official channels prompted Basketball Ireland to report them to governing body FIBA Europe. Forfeiting the match was rejected because Ireland would have faced sanctions.
Instead, there were no handshakes or other pleasantries before the qualifier in Riga, Latvia, an alternative venue because of the war in Gaza.
“Basketball Ireland informed FIBA Europe yesterday that as a direct result of recent comments made by Israeli players and coaching staff — including inflammatory and wholly inaccurate accusations of antisemitism, published on official Israeli federation channels that our players will not be partaking in traditional pre-match arrangements with our upcoming opponents,” a statement read on Thursday.
“This includes exchanging of gifts, formal handshakes before or after the game, while our players will line up for the national anthem by our bench, rather than center court. Basketball Ireland fully supports our players in their decision."
While Ireland defied pressure to boycott the match — the federation said it was not feasible — several players opted not to travel to Riga.
“It’s known that they are quite antisemitic and it’s no secret, and maybe that’s why a strong game is expected,” Saar, a United States-based student, said in an interview published by the Israeli Basketball Association.
“We have to show that we’re better than them and win. We talk about it among ourselves, We know they don’t love us and we will leave everything on the field always and in this game especially.”
Israel won 87-57. The teams are in a group with France and Latvia. Ireland is scheduled to host Israel on Nov. 10.
veryGood! (4)
Related
- Federal judge orders Oakland airport to stop using ‘San Francisco’ in name amid lawsuit
- Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. charged with assaulting girlfriend at Manhattan hotel
- Tim Burton slams artificial intelligence version of his style: 'A robot taking your humanity'
- UN food agency warns of ‘doom loop’ for world’s hungriest as governments cut aid and needs increase
- Tua Tagovailoa tackle: Dolphins QB laughs off taking knee to head vs. Rams on 'MNF'
- Mark Meadows requests emergency stay in Georgia election interference case
- Twinkies are sold — J.M. Smucker scoops up Hostess Brands for $5.6 billion
- MLB power rankings: Even the most mediocre clubs just can't quit NL wild card chase
- Too Hot to Handle’s Francesca Farago Gives Birth, Welcomes Twins With Jesse Sullivan
- What are tree nuts? What they aren't might surprise you.
Ranking
- Cavaliers' Darius Garland rediscovers joy for basketball under new coach
- Atlanta, New Orleans, San Francisco areas gain people after correction of errors
- US approves updated COVID vaccines to rev up protection this fall
- Kamala Harris says GOP claims that Democrats support abortion up until birth are mischaracterization
- 'I know how to do math': New Red Lobster CEO says endless shrimp deal is not coming back
- Mary Kay Letourneau’s Daughter Georgia Shares Vili Fualaau’s Reaction to Her Pregnancy
- Boy’s body found after jet ski collision with barge that also killed father
- Lahaina high school team pushes ahead with season to give Maui community hope
Recommendation
-
Alexandra Daddario Shares Candid Photo of Her Postpartum Body 6 Days After Giving Birth
-
UEFA hosts women soccer stars for expert advice. Then it thanks ousted Luis Rubiales for his service
-
What to know about a major rescue underway to bring a US researcher out of a deep Turkish cave
-
United States takes on Google in biggest tech monopoly trial of 21st century
-
Can I take on 2 separate jobs in the same company? Ask HR
-
‘Dumb Money’ goes all in on the GameStop stock frenzy — and may come out a winner
-
UAW president calls GM’s contract counteroffer ‘insulting’: What’s in it
-
Judges refuse to pause order for Alabama to draw new congressional districts while state appeals