(Wisden)
Former West Indies T20 World Cup-winning batter Marlon Samuels has been banned for six years from all forms of cricket after being found guilty of breaching the anti-corruption code of the Emirates Cricket Board.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) had charged Samuels in September 2021 before an independent tribunal found him guilty on four counts of corruption in August this year. He has now been banned from all forms of cricket, starting November 11, 2023.
The charges relate to the 2019 Abu Dhabi T10 League, where Samuels was a part of the Karnataka Tuskers but didn’t play a game. ICC’s investigation found that Samuels had breached four articles of the anti-corruption code, three unanimously, and one by a majority decision.
Article 2.4.2 – 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 – Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official receipt of hospitality with a value of US $750 or more.
Article 2.4.6 – Failing to cooperate with the Designated Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation.
Article 2.4.7 – Obstructing or delaying the Designated Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation by concealing information that may have been relevant to the investigation.
Samuels’ cricket career has been riddled with controversies. In 2008, he was banned for two years from international cricket for a similar corruption-related offence.
Alex Marshall, the ICC General Manager – HR and Integrity Unit, had this to say about Samuels’ ban: “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.
“Though he is retired now, 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.”
Samuels last played international cricket in 2018.