If you think we treat sports figures involved in gambling harshly in the UK then spare a thought for former NBA referee Tim Donaghy.

The 41 year old has just started a 15 months prison sentence for setting off a gambling scandal that tarnished the reputation of the league.

He also received three years probation from US District Court Judge Carol Amon after pleading guilty to a series of offences last August.

Donaghy admitted to betting on basketball games he officiated and passing on inside information to bookies.

"I brought shame on myself and my family," said Donaghy.
 
An NBA official for 13 seasons, Donaghy was sentenced in Brooklyn federal court for a case that hung heavy over the league throughout last season.
 
He had pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting betting information through interstate commerce for taking payoffs from a professional gambler for inside tips on games.

Last month, he marred the NBA finals between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers by making fresh accusations that the league routinely encouraged refs to ring up bogus fouls to manipulate results.

Donaghy's lawyer had asked Amon for probation and, though he had faced up to 33 months in prison, the judge gave him credit for his cooperation.

He also said that they discouraged referees from calling technical fouls on star players to keep them in games and protect ticket sales and television ratings.
 
However, League commissioner David Stern has repeatedly denied Donaghy's claim that corruption among referees goes beyond him.

"We anticipate that the judge's sentencing decision, together with the changes we have made to our referee operations staff, will enable us to continue with the improvements we are making to our anti-gambling rules, policies and procedures," said Stern.

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