Marlon Samuels Banned: Two-Time T20 World Cup Winner Suspended For For Anti-Corruption Breaches

Marlon Samuels, the former West Indies cricketer, has been handed a six-year ban from all forms of cricket by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after being found guilty of breaching the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Anti-Corruption Code. The charges against Samuels were brought forward by the ICC in September 2021 and he was deemed guilty of these offences in August of this year.

Samuels was found guilty on four charges as confirmed in an official ICC release:

Article 2.4.2 (majority decision) – Failure to disclose receiving gifts, payments, hospitality, or other benefits that could harm the reputation of the participant or the sport of cricket.

Article 2.4.3 (unanimous decision) – Failure to disclose receiving hospitality valued at US $750 or more.

Article 2.4.6 (unanimous decision) – Failure to cooperate with the investigation by the Designated Anti-Corruption Official.

Article 2.4.7 (unanimous decision) – Obstruction or delay of the investigation by concealing relevant information.

The six-year ban, effective from November 11, 2023, was confirmed by the ICC. Alex Marshall, who oversees the ICC HR and Integrity Unit, announced the ban, emphasising that despite Samuels being retired, he was involved in the offences when they were committed. Marshall highlighted that this extended ban serves as a stringent deterrent against any participant considering breaking the rules.

“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 stated.

It’s important to note Samuels’ illustrious cricket career, having won the T20 World Cups with West Indies in 2012 and 2016 and playing over 300 international matches across formats for the West Indies team. He accumulated a total of 11,314 runs in international cricket (3917 in Tests, 5605 in ODIs, and 1611 runs in T20Is). Additionally, in first-class cricket, Samuels played 122 matches, scoring 7295 runs, and in List-A cricket, he made 7652 runs. Moreover, he accumulated 4571 runs in all T20s.