Former West Indies cricket star Marlon Samuels has been slapped with a six-year ban from all forms of cricket, after an independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal found him guilty of breaching the Anti-Corruption Code of the Emirates Cricket Board.
Samuels was found guilty of four offences that threatened to "bring the sport of cricket into disrepute" in August 2023, after being charged in September 2021.
The offences include: failing to disclose to the designated anti-corruption official the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit, failing to disclose receipt of hospitality with a value of $750 (USD) or more, failing to cooperate with the official investigation and obstructing or delaying the investigation by concealing information.
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ICC General Manager Alex Marshall expressed his disappointment towards Samuels' actions, warning other cricketers of the likely bans they face if they follow the same path.
"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," Marshall said in a statement on Thursday.
"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."
The ban became effective from November 11, 2023.
In 2008, Samuels received a two-year ban from the ICC after being caught on tape passing on match-related information to an Indian bookmaker during West Indies' ODI series in India.
Samuels played 71 tests, 207 ODIs and 67 T20 international matches across his career, after his debut at 19-years-old.
Samuels was a member of West Indies' victorious T20 World Cup squads in 2012 and 2016, and was the Player of the Match in the 2012 final against Sri Lanka after top scoring with 78.
He last played for the West Indies in 2018, retiring after an away series against Bangladesh.
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