Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Throughout the world, anti-democratic forces are trying to subjugate institutions and stifle freedoms: Lula at UNGA
Brazil sent message to 'aspiring autocrats' with Bolsonaro case: Lula at UNGA
'Permanent ceasefire now. All the hostages released now. Full humanitarian access now': UN chief at UNGA
Jordan General Security: King Hussein Bridge close to travelers and cargo from Israeli side until further notice.
Israeli occupation army: Sirens sound in Eilat due to a drone infiltration
'Time for peace has come': Macron at UN on recognizing Palestinian state
France recognizes a Palestinian state: French President Macron
The Palestinian flag was raised for the first time at the Palestinian Embassy in London following the UK’s recognition of the State of Palestine
Islamic Waqf in al-Quds: Around 300 settlers stormed Al-Aqsa Mosque compound under Israeli police protection
Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela: Malta will announce its formal recognition of a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in New York today

Jordan boycotts basketball match against 'Israel' over normalization

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Israeli media
  • 29 Jun 2025 12:44
  • 6 Shares
3 Min Read

Jordan forfeits its FIBA U19 World Cup match against "Israel" in protest, following calls to avoid "sports normalization" amid the ongoing war on Gaza.

Listen
  • x
  • Jordan boycotts basketball match against 'Israel' over normalization
    A photo shows Jordna's under-19 national basketball team players (FIBA)

The highly anticipated under-19 basketball match between Jordan and "Israel", scheduled for Sunday evening in Lausanne, was officially canceled after the Jordanian team refused to participate, effectively forfeiting the game.

According to tournament rules, "Israel" will be awarded a 20–0 technical victory. The match was part of the FIBA U19 World Cup 2025 group stage, which also includes hosts Switzerland and the Dominican Republic.

Backlash against 'sports normalization'

The decision by Jordan follows growing public and political pressure not to engage in what has been widely criticized as an act of “sports normalization” with the Israeli occupation entity amid its ongoing war on Gaza.

Jordanian media, activists, and public figures had called on the team to withdraw, with hashtags such as “Our team against normalization” trending across social media.

Attorney Hala Ahed, a prominent voice in Jordan, wrote on X: “What sportsmanship is there in playing a team representing a state committing genocide in Gaza?”

Reactions from Israeli officials

Related News

'Israel' hits refugee camps, tents, fishermen; Gaza death toll surges

Trump to unveil Gaza post-war plan to Arab and Muslim leaders

Israeli coach Sharon Avrahami’s squad had hoped the match would proceed, but Jordan made its decision official by midday Sunday.

Chairman of the Israel Basketball Association, Amos Frishman, responded, "I regret Jordan’s decision not to play. I had hoped they would take the court to show the world a different way, especially during these times. Sports should be a bridge between cultures—not a political battlefield."

'Israel' devastates Palestinian sports

But Frishman failed to mention that since "Israel" launched its brutal war on Gaza, its military has killed at least 708 Palestinian athletes, including 95 children, according to the Palestinian Sports Media Association.

According to Mustafa Siyam, head of the PSMA, the victims include 369 football players, 105 scouting organization members, and 234 athletes from various sports federations.

He noted that the numbers are not final due to ongoing airstrikes, missing persons under the rubble, and restricted access to affected areas.

Siyam revealed that 273 sports facilities, including stadiums, gyms, and clubhouses, have been partially or completely destroyed by Israeli attacks.

He accused "Israel" of intentionally targeting Palestinian sports as a fundamental part of Gaza’s social and cultural identity, calling the assaults an "existential challenge" for the sports community.

“These attacks will significantly impact the future of Palestinian sports in the Gaza Strip and have devastating effects on thousands of athletes,” Siyam stated.

FIBA rules and possible disciplinary action

Under current FIBA regulations, teams are permitted to miss up to two games in group play without automatic disqualification.

Jordan appears to have relied on this rule to forfeit the game without being ejected from the tournament, though FIBA may still impose further disciplinary measures.

Read more: Politico: EU sports head says 'Israel' should get the boot from sports

  • Gaza Strip
  • Palestine
  • Israel
  • Gaza genocide
  • FIBA
  • Gaza
  • Jordan

Most Read

Why is Choose Love using a firm with British and US intelligence connections to run a pro-Palestine musical event? (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Together for Palestine: Troubling questions about the organisers of this huge event

  • Opinion
  • 17 Sep 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

12 Israeli soldiers killed, wounded in Resistance operation in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 18 Sep 2025
Masked Hamas fighters wave their flags during a protest against the Mideast plan announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, after the Friday prayer at the main road in Gaza City, Friday, Feb. 14, 2020. (AP)

Gaza will be the graveyard of Israeli soldiers: Al-Qassam

  • Politics
  • 18 Sep 2025
The poster published by Al-Qassam Brigades, showing all the Israeli captives left in Gaza, September 20, 2025 (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam releases captives 'farewell photo' amid Gaza City operation

  • Politics
  • 20 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Samira Alloush, searching for her missing son, cries as she watches the Syrian Civil Defense workers inspect clothes found alongside human remains in Otaiba, on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, Friday, September 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Omar Albam)
Politics

HRW: Syria has yet to show investigation data on coastal massacres

x
Politics

ICC charges Philippines' Rodrigo Duterte with crimes against humanity

Maghreb Sumud flotilla sails to Gaza despite Israeli threats
Politics

Maghreb Sumud Flotilla sails to Gaza despite Israeli threats

US targets family of Brazil’s top judge in rare move
Politics

US targets family of Brazil’s top judge with sanctions in rare move

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS