Alex Owumi banned, fined for betting offences

Former Worthing Thunder player Alex Owumi, has been suspended from playing or attending all basketball in Great Britain for six weeks and fined £1,000 for betting offences in relation to basketball matches.

The British Basketball Federation, in conjunction with FIBA, were engaged with the Gambling Commission Sports Betting Intelligence Unit, the GB betting industry, and the IOC Olympic Movement Unit on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions, to complete this investigation.

The incidents took place in January 2020 and involved betting on handicap markets on a match involving Worthing Thunder, for the opposition to win a BBL Trophy match, as well as betting on another basketball match in the same event.

This is contravention of the FIBA Code of Ethics, as detailed at the time of the offences. It is also a breach of the Olympic Movement Code on the Prevention of the Manipulation of Competitions.

Following communication with Mr Owumi, a Disciplinary Panel reviewed all information available and issued the following sanctions under the FIBA Regulations:

• A fine of £1000.
• Suspension from playing in any licensed league in Great Britain and from attending any basketball match involving a club that he is an official of, for a period of six weeks.

Mr Owumi has been afforded the opportunity to appeal and has not taken up this option. FIBA, as the World Governing body, have the right to impose further sanctions under its regulations.

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

Photo: Luke Simcock