SLB opens investigations as interim Chair resigns

Super League Basketball (SLB) has launched formal investigations into allegations of racism and unconscious bias within British basketball, following public accusations made by former Interim Chair and Sheffield Sharks owner Vaughn Millette at the weekend, who has announced his resignation as a result.

The resignation comes as part of a wider effort by the league to repair relationships with its officials and address the allegations of unconscious bias raised in the aftermath.

In an official statement released on Friday, the SLB acknowledged the distress caused by Millette’s now-deleted posts, which publicly questioned the integrity of officiating and implied a pattern of discriminatory behaviour against Sheffield Sharks head coach Atiba Lyons.

The league said that while raising concerns is vital, the manner in which the allegations were aired — publicly on social media — had undermined due process and harmed both officials and Coach Lyons.

“There are processes in place across all sports where matters such as these are raised and investigated privately without being shared in the public domain. In this situation these processes have failed both officials and Coach Lyons,” the statement read.

Millette also released a follow-up apology on X (formerly Twitter), expressing regret for the way he raised the issue. “It was wrong of me to publicly infer unconscious bias was responsible for Sheffield Sharks’ results and I apologise unreservedly to Ed for that,” he wrote.

“Rightly, there will now be a further investigation into this matter via the proper channels. There will also be a concurrent investigation into the allegations of unconscious bias.

He added that he had privately apologised to officials the following morning and supported the league’s plan for a full investigation.

The fallout from the incident has already had major repercussions, with Head of Officiating Richard Stokes resigning in protest, and multiple referees refusing to work games this week leading to the postponement of at least two games.

SLB confirmed that games had been postponed as a result, and extended an apology to fans and players affected by the disruption.

The league has now launched two formal investigations: one into Millette’s conduct and another into the broader concerns of unconscious bias within British basketball.

All parties, including the Referees Association, are said to be committed to a path forward that ensures respect, safety, and transparency across all roles in the game.

The league concluded its statement by confirming it would make no further comment until the investigations are complete.

The full statement read as follows:

Super League Basketball has been working privately with the Referees Association to resolve the situation between our league and its referees.

On Sunday Sheffield Sharks owner Vaughn Millette made public allegations on social media against a match official, regarding the treatment of Head Coach Atiba Lyons.

Following these posts, Coach Lyons publicly shared his perspective and experiences, including his attempts to raise these serious concerns across a number of years.

Whilst everyone within our sport has the right and duty to raise concerns about behaviour both on and off the court, SLB recognises the distress caused to our officials and Coach Lyons, by the public nature of these allegations.

There are processes in place across all sports where matters such as these are raised and investigated privately without being shared in the public domain. In this situation these processes have failed both officials and Coach Lyons.

As the board responsible for the governance and operations of our league, this week representatives from SLB have spoken at length with the Referees Association to discuss this privately and agree a way forward that protects our officials’ integrity if allegations are brought against them and their safety moving forward in their roles on court.

All parties – including officials – are fully committed to investigating the allegations and working together moving forward to create a safe and welcoming environment where referees, players, coaches, fans and everyone involved feels respected and protected.

Vaughn Millette has voluntarily stepped down as Interim Chair of the SLB while a full and thorough investigation takes place. Concurrently an investigation into allegations of unconscious bias will be conducted.

The SLB apologises wholeheartedly and unreservedly for the distress that these public allegations have caused and echoes Vaughn Millette’s statement on X (Twitter) earlier that it was wrong of him to publicly infer unconscious bias was responsible for Sheffield Sharks’ results and has apologised unreservedly to Ed Udyanskyy for that.

In a sport and society where conversations like this are so easily ignored, the SLB and match officials agree that it is of vital importance that anyone raising concerns of discrimination is heard and supported.

SLB is sincerely sorry for the inconvenience caused by the postponement of games this week, both parties look forward to getting back on the court.

SLB will make no further comment on this matter whilst due process takes place.

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