Samuels given six-year ban for anti-corruption breach

Former West Indies batter Marlon Samuels has been banned from all cricket for six years for breaching anti-corruption rules following an independent tribunal.

Samuels was found guilty by the International Cricket Council of breaking four rules during the 2019 Abu Dhabi T10 league in August this year.

The 42-year-old retired from all professional cricket in November 2020.

He won the T20 World Cup twice top scoring for West Indies in both finals.

Samuels played 71 Tests, 207 one-day internationals and 67 T20s for West Indies between 2000 and December 2018.

Earlier this year he was found to have failed to disclose the receipt of a payment, gift or other benefit "that could bring the participant or sport of cricket into disrepute", and of disclosing hospitality worth more than £600 (750 US Dollars).

He was also found guilty of failing to co-operate with, and of obstructing or delaying, the investigation by concealing information that may have been relevant, having been charged by cricket's world governing body in September 2021.

Alex Marshall, general manager of the ICC's HR and integrity unit, said: "Mr 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."

During his career, Samuels was banned from cricket for two years between 2008 and 2010 for passing information to a bookmaker in a one-day series in India in 2007.

In an unrelated punishment, he was suspended from bowling his off-spin three times by the ICC for having a suspect action.

His first offence in 2008 earned him a two-year ban, while he was banned from bowling quicker deliveries since 2013, and banned again in 2015.

Samuels also clashed with a number of opponents on the field, including Australia legend Shane Warne, England all-rounder Ben Stokes - with whom he had a long-running battle - and seamer Graham Onions.

Source: BBC