UK Basketball Players Banned for Life over Match-Fixing
Six basketball players in the UK are facing penalties ranging from ten-year suspensions to lifetime bans for breaching betting regulations.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The six former players from Surrey Scorchers in the defunct British Basketball League (BBL) were charged with match-fixing after a joint investigation by the gambling commission's Sports Betting Unit (SBIU), British Basketball Federation (BBF), and International Basketball Federation (FIBA) found proof of manipulated game outcomes.
This case underscores the commitment of FIBA, the BBF, the Gambling Commission and other stakeholders to maintaining integrity in sport and enforcing a zero-tolerance policy toward betting-related corruption.
The probe revealed that the first five, Quincy Taylor, Charleston Dobbs, Shakem Johnston, Padiet Wang, and Joshua McFolley, allegedly fixed matches during the 2022-23 season, compromising the outcome of at least six Scorchers games. The players were accused of accepting payments to influence game results or being part of plans to fix matches.
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Sanctions for Betting Offenses
The players have been handed sanctions by the British Gambling Commission, BBF and FIBA. Taylor and Dobbs received lifetime bans from all basketball activities in the UK and £3,000 ($4,080) fines.
Johnston and Wang were given worldwide lifetime bans by FIBA. McFolley's suspension is also worldwide, but he can start participating in the sport again in September 2034.
The sixth player, Dean Wanliss, was found guilty of betting on basketball matches from 2019-2021. He was issued a £3,000 fine plus a three-year suspension from basketball activities. He is also required to undergo awareness training on anti-corruption and sports betting.
Given Wanliss's registration in Spain, the investigation involved the Spanish Basketball Federation (FEB) and the International Olympic Committee Monitoring Unit.
After 38 years of competition, the British Basketball League disbanded at the end of the 2023-24 season.
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