Basketball Ireland’s Instagram account ‘permanently disabled’ by Meta after controversial Israel qualifier

Basketball Ireland’s Instagram account has been “permanently disabled” by the social media platform, in a move the sporting body has linked to the national women’s team’s controversial clash with Israel on February 8.

Basketball Ireland has complained to social media giant Meta after it was informed that its Instagram account has been “permanently disabled” via what it described as “an automated message”.

Ireland’s national governing body for the sport has also raised the matter with the Government and Sport Ireland.

It comes following the controversial Irish women’s European Championship qualifier with Israel on February 8.

Meta did not confirm that it was related to the Israel game, but Basketball Ireland noted the “added media and social media attention in the lead-up” to that Euros clash in a statement today.

“Basketball Ireland lost access to its Instagram page on Sunday 11th February and on Wednesday 14th it was informed by META that it has been permanently disabled, via an automated message,” its statement read.

“This is being appealed by Basketball Ireland, as there is no legitimate reason to do so by META. Basketball Ireland is a National Governing Body, only posting about basketball in Ireland. Our social media pages are there to showcase our international and domestic game, from elite to grassroots level.

“Basketball Ireland has been subject to added media and social media attention in the lead-up and the aftermath of the Ireland versus Israel FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2025 Qualifier, however nothing that has been posted on our social media channels during this time, before, or since, merits this decision by META. Basketball Ireland has raised this matter with Government and Sport Ireland.

“Basketball Ireland shall continue to showcase Irish basketball via our other social media channels – X, Facebook, TikTok and LinkedIn, while our new Instagram page can be found by searching @ireland.basketball”

Ireland’s encounter with Israel drew much criticism over the country’s continued bombardment of the Gaza strip, although Basketball Ireland rebuffed calls to boycott the game.

Tensions were heightened after the Israeli team were pictured with members of the Israeli Defence Forces in the build-up to the controversial clash.

The situation worsened when Israeli player Dor Sa’ar then labelled the Irish “quite anti-Semitic” in a pre-match interview on her federation’s website.

Basketball Ireland strenuously denied these allegations and the Ireland players refused to shake hands with their opponents before the game in protest over the comments.

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