Ireland will play controversial Euros clash in Riga despite push to move game to Israel

Ireland will play controversial Euros clash in Riga despite push to move game to Israel

Ireland's Sorcha Tiernan in action against Israel's Dor Saar during their Fiba Women's EuroBasket Championship qualifier at the Rimi Olympic Centre in Riga in February 2024. Photo: Oksana Dzadan/Sportsfile

Ireland women have confirmed they will face Israel at a neutral venue in Riga next month, after their hosts launched a last-ditch bid to have the game moved back to Israel.

The controversial EuroBasket 2027 qualifier had already been scheduled for the Latvian capital, with security concerns having previously ruled out staging international fixtures in Israel.

However, following the agreement of a Gaza peace plan last week, the Israeli Basketball Association announced it was seeking permission to h