Former West Indies batter Marlon Samuels has been handed a six-year ban from all cricket after being found guilty of violating 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 offences in September 2021.
His guilt was established in August 2023, and the six-year suspension, effective from November 11, was officially confirmed by the ICC on Thursday.
The four charges Samuels was found guilty of are listed as:
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.
The announcement of the ban was made on Thursday by Alex Marshall, head of the ICC HR and Integrity Unit. He stated that Marlon Samuels, who played international cricket for nearly two decades, was well aware of his obligations under the Anti-Corruption Codes.
“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," Marshall said.
Having featured in over 300 matches for the West Indies over 18 years, Samuels, with 17 centuries, also captained the Caribbean side in ODIs. Notably, he was the top scorer in the finals of the 2012 and 2016 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, contributing to West Indies' victories in both tournaments.
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