Former West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels has been slapped with a six-year ban from all cricket activities after being found guilty of breaching the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Anti-Corruption Code.
The International Cricket Council (ICC), acting as the designated Anti-Corruption Official under the ECB Code, charged Samuels with four offenses in September 2021. Following a guilty verdict in August of this year, the ICC officially confirmed the six-year ban, effective from November 11, 2023.
The charges include:
Article 2.4.2 (by a majority decision) – Failure to disclose the receipt of gifts, payments, hospitality, or other benefits that could tarnish the reputation of the participant or the sport of cricket.
Article 2.4.3 (unanimous decision) – Failure to disclose the receipt of hospitality with a value of US $750 or more.
Article 2.4.6 (unanimous decision) – Failure to cooperate with the Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation.
Article 2.4.7 (unanimous decision) – Obstructing or delaying the Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation by concealing relevant information.
Announcing the ban on Thursday, Alex Marshall, the head of the ICC HR and Integrity Unit, emphasized Samuels’ two-decade-long international cricket career and his participation in numerous anti-corruption sessions.
Marshall stated, “Though he is retired now, Mr. Samuels was a participant when the offences were committed. The six-year ban will act as a strong deterrent to any participant intending to break the rules.”
Marlon Samuels, who played over 300 matches for the West Indies during his 18-year career, scoring 17 centuries, and captained the ODI side, now faces severe consequences for his breach of the Anti-Corruption Code.
His ban extends to all forms of cricket, signaling a significant blow to the legacy of a player who top-scored in the final of both the 2012 and 2016 editions of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, helping the West Indies secure their two most recent ICC trophies.
