Marlon Samuels, the architect of West Indies' twin T20 World Cup triumphs in 2012 and 2016, has been charged by the ICC's anti-corruption unit on four counts of breaching the Emirates Cricket Board's anti-corruption code. In a media statement on Wednesday, the ICC said the charges related to the T10 tournament conducted by the ECB.
Samuels has been charged for the following breaches:
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.He has 14 days from September 21 to respond to the charges.
Samuels was involved in the 2019 edition of the T10 tournament, when he represented the Karnataka Tuskers, but did not get to play a single game.
CWI responded to the charges against Samuels, stating it was "firm in denouncing any such activities within the sport".
"Cricket West Indies (CWI) has been made aware of the charges which have been laid by the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit, involving former West Indies player Marlon Samuels," the statement said. "Formal charges have been laid with breaching four counts of the Emirates Cricket Board's Anti-Corruption Code for participants of the T10 League in Abu Dhabi in 2019.
"While CWI has yet to receive detailed information relating to this ICC investigation, CWI remains firm in denouncing any such activities within the sport, and fully supports the ICC Anti-Corruption Unit in their efforts to rid the sport of all corruption.
"While this ongoing investigation continues, CWI will not make any further comment in respect of these charges."
Samuels, 40, announced his retirement last year after a career in which he played 71 Tests, 207 ODIs and 67 T20Is since his West Indies debut in 2000, and score over 11,000 international runs and 17 centuries. While his record suggested he never made the most of his sumptuous talent, his highs were spectacular, most notably when he top-scored in the T20 World Cup finals of 2012 and 2016.
He was no stranger to controversy during his career, the lowest point of which was his two-year ban after being found guilty, in May 2008, of "receiving money, or benefit or other reward that could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute".
Last month, Samuels became one of 19 Jamaican cricketers to feature on a mural unveiled at Sabina Park as part of a larger art project that aims to turn Kingston into a "destination city".
Source: ESPNcricinfo