Ireland consider withdrawing from FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers after being drawn against Israel

The ongoing war in Gaza is behind the reason Basketball Ireland are considering withdrawing from the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers after they were drawn against Israel.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has seen thousands lose their lives, and Israel has repeatedly blocked aid efforts from getting to those who need it most.

Basketball Ireland have reached out to FIBA Europe and are awaiting further clarification on any possible consequences they may suffer if they withdraw.

The organisation issued a statement on Wednesday in which they said, “Basketball Ireland is extremely alarmed by the ongoing humanitarian situation in Gaza,” outlined in a press release on Wednesday.

“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 statement on today's FIBA Women's EuroBasket 2027 qualifying draw. pic.twitter.com/rEEPRLTJdR

— Basketball Ireland (@BballIrl) July 23, 2025

Ireland have voiced opposition to Israel before

It’s not the first time the Irish women’s team have voiced their opposition against playing Israel. They played against the Israelis during the Women’s EuroBasket 2025 Qualifiers in February 2024. In that game, the Irish players protested and refused to shake hands with their opponents.

https://twitter.com/Chilliebeanz/status/1755668042351038569

Ireland will be hit with a penalty if they refuse to travel to Israel to play their qualifier. They will have to pay a fine of up to €80,000. If they then fail to play the return fixture against Israel, the fine will increase in size, and they’ll have to pay €100,000.

As a result, they’ll be removed from the qualifiers and be banned from the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2029 Qualifiers.

If Basketball Ireland decides to withdraw completely from the qualifiers before the qualification process even starts, then they’ll be fined for that. That fine could rise to €30,000.

In the FIBA Europe rules, the official line is that the governing body “may impose additional sanctions according to the FIBA Internal Regulations – Book 1 – General Provisions (Chapter 6),” which is concerned with ‘disqualification from a competition in progress and/or exclusion from future competitions’.

Decision to withdraw is ‘bigger than basketball’

On X, many took to the platform to support Basketball Ireland and mentioned they would support them if they withdrew, with some calling the move to do so bigger than basketball. Sports journalist Jonathan Higgins said, “Just boycott it. I’ll personally start and donate to the go fund account to pay any resultant fine. Bigger issues at stake here. This can not be allowed to happen.”

Just boycott it. I'll personally start and donate to the go fund account to pay any resultant fine. Bigger issues at stake here. This can not be allowed to happen. https://t.co/Bborvvk20g

— Jonathan Higgins (@Jhiggins3) July 23, 2025

Barry O’Sullivan also supported any withdrawal or boycott and said: “bigger than basketball, more than about illogical fines or threats (never before been imposed). The community is watching as is the country @BballIrl. The body, the team and management have a huge responsibility and ability to do what right where many can’t.”

While others, like Cormac O’Malley, called for Israel to be thrown out of the competition and banned from competing in other sporting competitions such as the Olympics, “Time for @FIBA to throw Israel out of all competition – and @FIFAcom and @iocmedia and every other sporting organisation. This should not be coming back on Basketball Ireland to make this decision.”

Other users on X took a similar stance to those above.

Past time for @FIBA @EuroBasketWomen to ban Israel. If not, once again calling for @BballIrl to do the right thing: boycott and liaise with BIH and LUX to do the same. If fine is imposed, we’ll help crowdfund. Be the first to take a stand and #RedCardIsrael @Sport4Palestine https://t.co/BLr5xnbdpO

— Rebecca O'Keeffe (@RebeccaO_K) July 23, 2025

There is no excuse for playing apartheid Israel and engaging in the sportswashing of its genocide of Palestinians. It is literally starving people to death, it cannot have any platform on any stage. The fine won't be imposed, but if it is, it can be paid. Integrity matters. https://t.co/dQ4V8zBDBl

— IPSC (@ipsc48) July 23, 2025

Russia and Belarus were banned by @FIBA It's incredible that they still allow Israel to play. This just a few weeks after Jordan refused to play Israel at a FIBA World Cup…. https://t.co/DEBtGuTZld

— Stephen Doyle (@dubsoulrebel) July 23, 2025