RIGA, Latvia -- Basketball Ireland said it is outraged by accusations of antisemitism by an Israeli player against the Irish women's team and has reported the matter to the sport's governing body.
Ireland is slated to play Israel in a EuroBasket qualifier Thursday. The match is in Latvia because of the ongoing war in Gaza.
There has been pressure on Ireland to boycott the match -- something the federation has said would not be feasible -- and several players have 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," Israel player Dor Saar said in an interview published on the Israeli basketball federation's official channels.
"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."
Basketball Ireland angrily disputed those comments.
"Basketball Ireland is extremely disappointed by these accusations, which are both inflammatory and wholly inaccurate," it said in a statement. "Basketball Ireland would refute these allegations towards our players in the strongest possible terms and we have raised this matter with FIBA Europe."