Five former players who played for the Surrey Scorchers club have been punished with severe suspensions after involvement in a match-fixing scheme during the 2022/2023 British Basketball League (BBL) season.
Four of them — Charleston Dobbs, Quincy Taylor, Shakem Johnson and Padiet Wang — received lifetime bans worldwide, while Joshua McFolley was banned until 2034. Evidence suggests he impacted at least six games.
The Surrey Scorchers club folded last season after the university in charge withdrew its support. The BBL itself was also disbanded, to be succeeded by the Super League Basketball (SLB).
When asked, SLB said: “This concerns a matter that occurred in a different league and the club is not one of our franchises, so we do not feel it is appropriate to comment.”
In the season in question, Surrey finished bottom of the table with just four wins from 36 games.
The investigation was led by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), with support from the British Basketball Federation (BBF), the Gambling Commission, the Sports Betting Intelligence Unit and the UK betting industry. The investigation was initiated following complaints registered with the FIBA Integrity Framework.
BBF released an official statement on its website about the cases of match-fixing:
See the federation’s official publication in full:
“Five former players of the former Surrey Scorchers Basketball Club, whilst playing in the former British Basketball League (BBL), have been handed bans ranging from ten years to life imprisonment from the sport, for their involvement in match-fixing and breach of the obligation to report suspected or known match-fixing, in connection with BBL basketball matches during the 2022-2023 season.
In a detailed investigation led by FIBA, in conjunction with the BBF, the Gambling Commission, the Sports Betting Intelligence Unit and the UK betting industry, following complaints under the FIBA Integrity Framework, the incidents occurred during the 2022-2023 season and involved receiving payments to manipulate the results of basketball matches or being involved in planning to manipulate the results of basketball matches.
Evidence indicated that at least six basketball games involving the Surrey Scorchers were affected. This is contrary to the FIBA Internal Regulations – Code of Conduct and the BBF Anti-Corruption Policy, as detailed at the time of the infractions.
The BBF was responsible for the Disciplinary Process of two of the players involved, Mr. Quincy Taylor and Mr. Charleston Dobbs. A BBF Disciplinary Panel reviewed all available information and, after each individual had been given an opportunity to respond to the allegations, the Panel met and imposed the following sanctions, in accordance with the BBF/FIBA Regulations, on each individual:
- A fine of £3,000.
- Lifetime ban from all basketball activities and participation in Great Britain.
Both players had the opportunity to appeal, which they did not do.
FIBA, as the world governing body, after reviewing these cases, extended the worldwide lifetime suspensions in accordance with its regulations. FIBA managed the investigation and subsequent disciplinary process for three other players involved in this match-fixing network, from the same club: Shakem Johnson and Padiet Wang, who received worldwide lifetime suspensions with the possibility of a reduction of the suspension, and Joshua McFolley, who received a worldwide lifetime suspension until September 2034. All players were given the opportunity to appeal.
FIBA, the British Basketball Federation, their members Basketball England, Basketball Scotland and Basketball Wales, as well as the British National Leagues, are jointly committed to zero tolerance of betting and corruption in basketball in Great Britain.”
