JERUSALEM (AP) — The Israeli women’s national basketball team says one of its stars might be kept out of the European championship because of a disagreement over her religious observance and the team uniform.
University of Toledo and Israeli national team point guard Naama Shafir is an Orthodox Jew who wears a T-shirt under her jersey because Jewish modesty rules require her to cover her shoulders.
International basketball regulations require all members of a team to wear the same uniform. Organizers of the championships in Poland this month have informed the Israelis she will not be able to play with her T-shirt. Shafir said Thursday she won’t play without it.
An Israeli appeal to a world basketball panel in Geneva was rejected on technical grounds on Wednesday. The deadline for more appeals has passed.
