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Ethics Panel
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FIBA bears the responsibility to safeguard the integrity and reputation of the sport of basketball worldwide and is constantly striving to protect its image from jeopardy or harm as a result of immoral or unethical activities, methods and practices (FIBA Internal Regulations, art. 1-114).

With this in mind, FIBA’s regulations include a strict Code of Ethics that applies collectively and individually to FIBA’s membership, employees and officials directly and indirectly affiliated to FIBA. It also applies to organizers of FIBA Competitions and events, as well as those bidding for the right to host them.

Established under Article 36 of the FIBA General Statutes, the FIBA Ethics Panel oversees the observance of the Code of Ethics as set out in the FIBA Internal Regulations (articles 1-114 to 1-152).

Role of the Ethics Panel

The role of the Ethics Panel is to examine possible breaches of the Code of Ethics and to report on its inquiries and deliberations (FIBA Internal Regulations, art. 1-209).

The principle of confidentiality shall be respected strictly by the FIBA Ethics Panel in all of its activities (FIBA Internal Regulations, art. 1-197).

Alleged breaches of the Code may be referred by the following to the Ethics Panel for consideration:

  1. The President of FIBA
  2. The Central Board
  3. The Secretary General
  4. National member federations
    (FIBA Internal Regulations, art. 1-195)
  1. After appropriate inquiry and consideration of the matter, the Ethics Panel shall determine whether there is no case to answer (in which case the referral shall be dismissed) or whether there is a prima facie finding of breach/es of the Code of Ethics and Integrity, together with its recommendation/s to the Secretary General or to the Central Board, as appropriate. (FIBA Internal Regulations, art. 1-212).

The Ethics Panel also prepares a report for the Congress (FIBA General Statutes, art. 36.2).

Composition of the FIBA Ethics Panel

The Ethics Panel consists of a minimum of three and a maximum of six persons appointed by the Congress. The Ethics Panel elects one of its members to be chairman of the Panel (FIBA General Statutes, art. 36.3).

The Ethics Panel members for the 2023-2027 term are:

Mr. Scott DERWIN (AUS)
Mr. Saburo KAWABUCHI (JPN)
Ms. Celestine ADJANOHOUN (BEN)
Mr. Cyriel COOMANS (BEL)
Mr. Ruperto HERRERA (CUB)
Ms. Karo LELAI (PNG)

For further information, please refer to the FIBA Code of Ethics (FIBA Internal Regulations, Book 1, Chapter 5), available here.

Disciplinary Panel
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Established under Article 38 of the FIBA General Statutes, the FIBA Disciplinary Panel adjudicates at a world level on sanctions for a wide variety of matters outlined in the General Statutes or the FIBA Internal Regulations, as well as any other matter referred to it by the FIBA Secretary General. This includes but not limited to:

  1. Ethics violations;
  2. Violations of the Official Basketball Rules; and
  3. Violations of the FIBA Internal Regulations.

Anti-doping rule violations and other anti-doping matters shall be heard in the first instance by the Anti-Doping Division of the Disciplinary Panel (DPADD).

Please note that the information about the FIBA Disciplinary Panel procedures in this page is for basic informative purposes only. For the exact, legally-binding and most up-to-date Disciplinary Panel regulations and processes, always refer to the FIBA Internal Regulations – General Provisions (articles 1-198 to 1-201 and 1-216 to 1-230).

Basic principles

All persons who are the subject of proceedings before the Disciplinary Panel have the right to be heard and may be assisted by the legal representative of their choice and/or a representative of the respective national member federation (FIBA Internal Regulations, art. 1-217).

Hearings may be conducted in writing or orally. The competent FIBA body is free to decide in which manner to conduct the hearing. (FIBA Internal Regulations, art. 1-217).

Appeals against decisions of the Disciplinary Panel may be lodged with the FIBA Appeals’ Panel (FIBA Internal Regulations, articles 1-230 and 1-235).

Composition 

Disciplinary Panel

The Secretary General shall appoint a pool of between two and six persons, at least one of whom shall be a member of the Legal Commission and one of whom shall be a member of the Medical Commission. For each case, the Secretary General shall appoint from the pool, the Chairman and members of the Disciplinary Panel (FIBA Internal Regulations, art. 1-198).

The list of the Disciplinary Panel members appointed for 2023-2027 are as follows:

Disciplinary matters – General

Ms. Eleonora RANGELOVA (BUL)
Mr. Lubomir KOTLEBA (SVK)
Mr. Olivier DUCREY (SUI)
Mr. Robert FOX (JAM/SUI)
Mr. Chris Patterson (NZL)
Ms. Belen Cocero Mora (ESP)
Mr. Bannikal Dayananda (IND)

Disciplinary Panel: Anti-Doping Division
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The FIBA Disciplinary Panel Anti-Doping Division (DPADD) is a division of the Disciplinary Panel created following the review and approval of the FIBA Legal Commission and FIBA Central Board.

The DPADD is the dispute resolution body with exclusive first instance to adjudicate whether an anti-doping rule violation has been committed and to impose the relevant sanctions (FIBA Internal Regulations, Book 4, Article 8).

Operational Independence

The DPADD functions under the principle of operational independence in accordance with both the WADA International Standards for Results Management (ISRM) and the FIBA Internal Regulations. It follows that no person involved in the investigation or any pre-adjudication steps of an anti-doping matter can be involved in the deliberation process and/or the drafting of decisions.

The Anti-Doping Division of the Disciplinary Panel shall be able to conduct the hearing without interference from FIBA, or any third party.

FIBA, as the Results Management Authority, is a party to the proceedings before the Anti-Doping Division of the Disciplinary Panel.

Decisions of the Anti-Doping Division of the Disciplinary Panel can only be appealed before CAS.

Composition

The Secretary General shall appoint a pool of an additional three persons to the Anti-Doping Division of the Disciplinary Panel. From among these persons, the Secretary General shall appoint a Chairperson and a Vice-Chairperson of the Anti-Doping Division of the Disciplinary Panel. Each member shall be appointed for a renewable term of two years (FIBA Internal Regulations, art. 1-199).

The list of the FIBA Disciplinary Panel Anti-Doping Division for 2023-2025 are as follows:

Nicole A. Santiago (ESP) – Chairperson
Rogerio Oliveria (POR)
Alkis Papantoniou (GRE)

Appeals’ Panel
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The Appeals' Panel hears and rules on appeals filed by an affected party against decisions of FIBA, including its organs and disciplinary bodies, unless such appeal is the competence of an Appeals’ Panel of a FIBA Zone or expressly excluded in the FIBA General Statutes or Internal Regulations (FIBA Internal Regulations, art. 1-235). The Appeals’ Panel does not, however, hear appeals that relate to decisions by referees or table officials during games or at the conclusion of games. Such decisions and appeals are dealt with in accordance with the Official Basketball Rules (FIBA Internal Regulations, art. 1-236).

The appealing party has the right to have their appeal heard in a hearing, to be represented by legal counsel, to make written submissions and to present evidence at the hearing (FIBA Internal Regulations, art. 1-244).

Please note that the information about the FIBA Appeals' Panel and appeal procedures in this page is for basic informative purposes only. For the exact, legally-binding and most up-to-date Appeals Panel and appeals regulations and processes, always refer to the FIBA General Statutes (art. 39) and the FIBA Internal Regulations – General Provisions (Book 1, Chapter 7).

Composition

The FIBA Appeals' Panel has a four-year term identical with that of the Central Board. It consists of a Chairperson and a minimum of six other members and is elected by the FIBA Central Board. All members must have legal training (FIBA General Statutes, art. 39.1).

The Appeals' Panel members for the 2023-2027 term are:

Ms. Diana TESIC (SRB/CAN) – Chair
Mr. Marek PALUS (POL) – Deputy Chair
Mr. Francisco AMALLO (ARG) – Judge
Mr. Anais Nicholas D’ARVILLE (AUS) – Judge
Mr. Andreas FALLER (SUI) – Judge
Mr. Amr Nabil OMRAN (EGY/UAE) – Judge
Ms. Melanie SCHARER (SUI) – Judge
Mr. Chander Mukhi SHARMA (IND) – Judge
Mr. Serge VITTOZ (SUI) – Judge

Nominations Panel
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The Nominations Panel of FIBA was introduced with the new FIBA General Statutes of 2014. Its purpose is to rule on the eligibility of persons nominated for election to various official FIBA positions and bodies, especially in view of the geographical and gender criteria outlined in the General Statutes and other criteria outlined in the Internal Regulations of FIBA.

Beyond verifying the eligibility of nominations, the Nominations Panel also makes recommendations as to the vision, skill and expertise that the nominated persons could bring to FIBA.

The Nominations Panel consists of the outgoing President of FIBA, the FIBA Secretary General as well as three persons appointed by the FIBA Congress, upon the proposal of the President and Secretary General.

Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
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Subject to Articles 14.1.14 and 33 of the FIBA General Statutes, any dispute arising from the General Statutes, the Internal Regulations, other rules and regulations, and decisions of FIBA that cannot be settled by the FIBA internal-appeals process shall be definitively settled by a tribunal constituted in accordance with the Statutes and Procedural Rules of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Lausanne, Switzerland.

The parties concerned shall undertake to comply with Statutes and Procedural Rules of this Court of Arbitration for Sport and to accept and enforce its decisions in good faith (FIBA General Statutes, art. 40).

Integrity Officer
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The position of Integrity Officer was introduced in 2020 with the appointment of Mr. Richard MCLAREN (CAN).

Role of the Integrity Officer

The Integrity Officer shall have the following roles (FIBA Internal Regulations articles 1-205, 1-206):

- The Integrity Officer shall support FIBA in the investigation of any potential violation brought to his attention. For the purposes of such review, the Integrity Officer may upon FIBA’s request or approval, conduct specific investigations and collaborate with relevant public authorities.

- Investigate of any alleged breaches of the FIBA Code of Ethics and Integrity or the FIBA Anti-Doping Regulations that are referred to the Integrity Officer by FIBA;

- Ensure all investigations conducted on behalf of FIBA are reasonable, proportionate, and in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and budgeting guidelines of FIBA;

- Keep confidential any information obtained through reports on or investigations into potential integrity-related violations, unless authorized by FIBA to disclose to public authorities or required by law to do so;

- If necessary, propose to FIBA specific expertise that may be needed in support of the investigation; and

- Provide an independent report to FIBA following an investigation.

Safeguarding Council
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The FIBA Safeguarding Council acts as an advisory body to FIBA on matters related to safeguarding and protection of Vulnerable Groups. In particular, the FIBA Safeguarding Council has the following duties:

- Provide advice to provide a safe environment for all FIBA stakeholders, including, but not limited to, players, coaches, officials, fans, administrators, and volunteers;

- Study matters relating to the safeguarding of players, especially youth, and other FIBA stakeholders;

- Review and recommend modifications to the FIBA General Statutes and FIBA Internal Regulations concerning safeguarding matters;

- Present proposals for the adoption of a FIBA Safeguarding Policy and amendments thereto;  

- Create documents and guidelines that could be used by National Member Federations to guarantee a safe environment in their respective countries.

The FIBA Safeguarding Council shall be appointed by FIBA and composed of at least five (5) persons, one who will act as chairperson. The Chairperson, who will be designated by the FIBA Central Board, shall be an external and independent person from FIBA, with experience in safeguarding matters. (FIBA Internal Regulations articles 1-207, 1-208)

The Safeguarding Council members for the current term are:

HRH Prince Feisal AL HUSSEIN (JOR)
Founding Chair of the FIBA Safeguarding Council
International Olympic Committee Member
President of the National Olympic Committee of Jordan

FIBA Safeguarding Council members:

Mr. Alan ABRAHAMSON (USA)
Ms. Danka BARTEKOVA (SVK)
Ms. Carol CALLAN (USA)
Mr. Patrick MARILLER (SUI)
Ms. Astou NDOUR-FALL (SEN/ESP)
Ms. Carmen TOCALA (ROM) 

Watch FIBA Safeguarding Council Chair HRH Prince Feisal Al Hussein speak at the XXII FIBA Congress here or read the speech here.