Cricket Ban: Marlon Samuels Suspended for Six Years Due to Anti-Corruption Code Violation

Former West Indies cricketer Marlon Samuels has been handed a six-year ban from all cricket activities after being found guilty of violating the anti-corruption code of the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB). The ban came into effect on November 11, 2023.

Samuels faced four charges from the ICC in September 2021, and his guilt was established in August of the current year. The charges are related to his involvement with the Karnataka Tuskers in the Abu Dhabi T10 in 2019, where he did not play.

The charges include:

1. Article 2.4.2 (by majority vote) – Failure to disclose gifts, payments, entertainment, or other benefits that could endanger the participant or the sport of cricket.
2. Article 2.4.3 (unanimous decision) – Failure to disclose entertainment valued at $750 or more to the appropriate anti-corruption official.
3. Article 2.4.6 (unanimous decision) – Non-cooperation in the investigation of the designated anti-corruption officer.
4. Article 2.4.7 (unanimous decision) – Obstructing or delaying the investigation of the designated anti-corruption officer by concealing relevant information.

Alex Marshall, the head of the ICC’s human resources and integrity unit, announced the ban, stating that despite Samuels’ retirement, he was involved in the offenses, and the six-year ban aims to serve as a strong deterrent.

Samuels, a key figure for the West Indies in the 2012 and 2016 T20 World Cup finals, last played international cricket in 2018 and retired in November 2020 with over 11,000 international runs across all formats. His career has been marred by controversies, including a two-year ban in May 2008 for “receiving any money, advantage, or other reward likely to benefit him or the game of cricket, bringing it into disrepute.

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