Former West Indies batter, Marlon Samuels has been banned from all formats of cricket for six years by the ICC after he was found guilty of corrupt behavior during Abu Dhabi T10 league in 2019. He was a part of the Karnataka Tuskers franchise but didn’t play for the team. An independent tribunal found Samule guilty on four occasions including accepting favors which has brought his game & himself into dispute. He had been punished for a similar offense 15 years ago.
“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,” Alex Marshall, the head of ICC’s HR and Integrity Unit, said.
He further said that despite Samuels being retired he was a participant when the offence was committed. Marshall further emphasized that a six-year punishment will act as a strong example for anyone who breaks ICC rules & will thereby bring more discipline in players.
Which ICC Rule of Conduct did Marlon Samuels breach
ICC has conducted an investigation into all breaches made by Samuels & they found him guilty of breaching the ICC four Code of Conduct
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 benefits 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.
Samuels ban has come into effect from November 11, 2023. He was initially charged by the ICC in September 2021 before he was found guilty of the offenses in August 2023. West Indies who top scored for West Indies in the 2012 & 2016 editions of the T20 World Cup last played International cricket in 2018 & announced his retirement in November 2020. Coming to his stats he has around 11,000 runs across formats in his kitty. Even during the good days of his career, he was always a part of controversy as in 2008 he was banned by the ICC after being guilty of breaching the Code of Conduct. During that time he was found guilty of receiving money, or benefit or other reward that could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute”.
Receiving a Ban from the ICC at any point in a career is not ideal for cricketers. Samuel has been subjected to bans frequently during his career span. This six-year ban will further hamper his career which could have been something different if corruption is not the case. Samuel will be successful in countering this punishment & getting it reduced by proving himself non-guilty or he will have to say Cricket goodbye for a longer duration. All the questions will be answered as time moves ahead.
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