FIBA hands Mali heavy sanctions over sexual abuse of minors
Following allegations of sexual abuse of minors in 2021, FIBA has announced its findings, with severe sanctions imposed on Malian officials.
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Since the summer of 2021, the Malian federation has been at the centre of a sexual abuse scandal following an investigative article in the New York Times on the abuse of minors in Malian basketball. A young player had accused the coach of the Mali U19 national team, Amadou Bamba, of systematic sexual harassment. FIBA opened disciplinary proceedings against several FMBB members. After two years of investigation, basketball's world governing body has made its sanctions public in a statement:
- Amadou Bamba (former Mali national team coach): banned for life from holding any position or taking part in any FIBA or FIBA-related activity, as well as a fine of 80,000 CHF.
- Harouna Maiga (former FMBB president): eight-year ban from holding any position or taking part in any FIBA or FIBA-related activity, as well as a fine of 20,000 CHF.
- Seydou Maiga (former FMBB secretary general): six-year ban from holding any position or taking part in any FIBA or FIBA-related activity, as well as a fine of 10,000 CHF.
- Amadou Traoré (former 1st vice-president of the FMBB): four-year ban from holding any position or taking part in any FIBA or FIBA-related activity, as well as a fine of 5,000 CHF.
- Fatoumata Diallo (former assistant coach of the Mali national team): two-year ban from holding any position or taking part in any FIBA activity or activity related to FIBA.
Two years after our New York Times investigation into the abuse of minors in Malian basketball 🇲🇱, FIBA has just banned coach Amadou Bamba for life and four other officials for many yearshttps://t.co/AKpidBuKUl
A great victory!
Keep the faith
— Romain Molina (@Romain_Molina) June 21, 2023