Basketball head resigns after Raheem Sterling post

Bernard O'Byrne became chief executive of Basketball Ireland in 2011

The chief executive of Basketball Ireland has resigned after an investigation into a social media post related to the Black Lives Matter campaign last week.

Bernard O'Byrne posted a Facebook message containing the phrase 'Black Dives Matter' in reference to England football player Raheem Sterling.

It followed England's semi-final victory against Denmark in Euro 2020.

Basketball Ireland said the comment had been "unacceptable".

Its chairman, Paul McDevitt, said he was "very disappointed" that Mr O'Byrne was leaving the organisation under such circumstances.

"We know that the basketball community and beyond has felt particularly let down over the last few days and we will continue to listen to and address any concerns that are raised," he said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

'Extremely ill-judged'

Mr O'Byrne was appointed chief executive of Basketball Ireland in 2011 and was formerly treasurer and chief executive of the Football Association of Ireland.

He said he was "deeply apologetic over the hurt caused" by the remark which caused Basketball Ireland to start an investigation.

England defeated Denmark 2-1 in the Wembley semi-final on 7 July with the hosts awarded an extra-time penalty after a challenge on Raheem Sterling.

"I am fully cognisant of the struggles with discrimination that many people are having to deal with in day-to-day life," Mr O'Byrne explained.

"My comment was an off-the-cuff, extremely ill-judged attempt at humour based on wordplay only, that was never intended to be racially insensitive or make light of organisations which have done so much to help raise awareness of inclusion and discrimination."

Paul McDevitt said the social media post had been a "brief lapse in judgement" and praised Mr O'Byrne for having been a "driving force" in "addressing bullying and negative attitudes regarding gender, sexuality and race" in the sports body over recent years.