Former Surrey Scorchers players given lifetime bans for match fixing in BBL

Five former Surrey Scorchers players have been given lifetime or ten year bans for match-fixing that occurred during the 2022/23 British Basketball League (BBL) season.

Charleston Dobbs, Quincy Taylor, Shakem Johnson, and Padiet Wang, were all given worldwide lifetime bans, while Josh McFolley was banned until 2034 for being involved in the match-fixing ring, which evidence indicated impacted at least six games.

The Scorchers folded last summer after the university withdrew, while the BBL also no longer exists after effectively going bankrupt, having been replaced by the SLB.

“This relates to a matter which occurred in a different league and the club is not one of our franchises, as such we don’t feel it appropriate for us to comment,” the SLB responded when asked for comment.

Surrey finished last in the league that season with a 4-32 record.

A FIBA led, detailed investigation, in conjunction with the BBF, the Gambling Commission, Sports Betting Intelligence Unit and the GB betting industry unveiled the ring following reports under the FIBA Integrity Framework.

The BBF released the following statement on their website:

Five former players with the former Surrey Scorchers Basketball Club, while participating in the former British Basketball League, (BBL), have received suspensions ranging from Ten Years to Life Time suspensions, from the sport, for being engaged in the Manipulation of matches and breaching of the obligation to report the suspicion or knowledge of match fixing, relating to basketball matches in the BBL during the season 2022-2023.

In a FIBA led, detailed investigation, in conjunction with the BBF, the Gambling Commission, Sports Betting Intelligence Unit and the GB betting industry, following reports under the FIBA Integrity Framework. The incidents took place during the season 2022 -2023 and involved taking payments to fix the results of basketball matches or being involved in the planning to fix the results of Basketball Matches. Evidence indicated at least six basketball matches involving Surrey Scorchers, were involved.

This is in contravention of the FIBA Internal Regulations – Code of Conduct and the BBF Anti Corruption Policy, as detailed at the time of the offences.

The BBF were responsible for the Disciplinary Process of two of the players involved, namely Mr Quincy Taylor and Mr Charleston Dobbs. A BBF Disciplinary Panel reviewed all information available and after each individual was given the opportunity to respond to the allegations, the Panel met and issued the following sanctions under the BBF/FIBA Regulations, to each individual:

1. A fine of £3,000.
2. Life Time Suspension from all Basketball Activities and Participation across
Great Britain.

Both players were afforded the opportunity to appeal, which they did not do.

FIBA, as the World Governing body, having reviewed these cases, has extended the Life Time suspensions, world-wide, as per its regulations. FIBA managed the Investigation and subsequent Disciplinary Process for another three players involved in this match fixing ring, from the same club, namely, Shakem Johnson and Padiet Wang, who received world-wide Lifetime suspensions, with an eligibility for reduction of suspension, and Joshua McFolley, who received a world-wide suspension until September, 2034. The players were all given the opportunity to appeal.

FIBA, the British Basketball Federation, its members, namely Basketball England, Basketball Scotland and Basketball Wales, as well as the British National Championship Leagues, are jointly committed to a zero tolerance to betting and corruption in basketball in Great Britain.

FIBA announced the disciplinary sanctions on their website, which also included a three year ban for British player Dean Wanliss who was found to be betting on basketball games between 2019 and 2021 while being a registered player in Spain and in Great Britain.