BRITISH basketball star Temi Fagbenle hit out at Sport England and UK Sport today for “trying to rip the shirts off the GB team’s backs” by refusing to fund the sport’s international set-up.

She also accused the agencies of ignoring basketball at the expense of “obscure” middle-class sports not played by youngsters from ethnically diverse or poorer backgrounds.

The 25-year-old Londoner’s words come as British Basketball boss Lisa Wainwright warns the country’s eight senior and age-group teams will have to be wound up unless they receive backing.