International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced that, former West Indian ODI skipper Marlon Samuels have been banned from all forms of cricket for six years as he was found guilty by an Independent Anti- Corruption Tribunal for breaching ICC’s anti- corruption code.
The charges on Samuels were related to the T10 league organized in Abu Dhabi in 2021 where he was a part of Karnataka Tuskers but he did not play a single match. This year in August, he was proven guilty. Samuel’s ban has taken effect from 11th November, 2023. Samuels had violated four counts of ICC’s Anti- Corruption Codes and he was found guilty for violating the following codes:
Article 2.4.2 (by a majority decision) – Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official, the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit that was made or given in circumstances that could bring the Participant or the sport of cricket into disrepute.
Article 2.4.3 (unanimous decision)- Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official receipt of hospitality with a value of US $750 or more.
Article 2.4.6 (unanimous decision) – Failing to cooperate with the Designated Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation.
Article 2.4.7 (unanimous decision) – Obstructing or delaying the Designated Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation by concealing information that may have been relevant to the investigation.
Alex Marshall, the head of ICC’s HR and Integrity Unit has said, “Samuels played international cricket for close to two decades, during which he participated in numerous anti-corruption sessions and knew exactly what his obligations were under the Anti-Corruption Codes.” Despite being retired, “Mr Samuels was a participant when the offences were committed. The ban of six years will act as a strong deterrent to any participant who intends to break the rules”, he added.
Marlon Samuels has represented West Indies in 207 ODIs, 71 tests and 67 T20s. This 42 years old all- rounder top scored in 2012 and 2016 T20 World Cup Finals and played an important role for Windies to lift the trophy. He has announced his retirement from international cricket in November, 2020.
