Former West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels banned from all cricket for 6 years. Here's why

Former West Indies star Marlon Samuels has been handed a six-year ban from all cricket by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching the Emirates Cricket Board's Anti-Corruption Code. The charges stem from his participation in the T10 league in the United Arab Emirates in 2019, despite having retired from all cricket in 2020.

The 42-year-old, who played a crucial role in West Indies' T20 World Cup victories in 2012 and 2016, was found guilty by an independent tribunal of four breaches, including failure to disclose gifts, payments, hospitality, or benefits that could bring him or the sport into disrepute.

The ban took effect on November 11.


"Though he is retired now, Mr Samuels was a participant when the offences were committed," said Alex Marshall, general manager of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

"The ban of six years will act as a strong deterrent to any participant who intends to break the rules."

Alex Marshall, the general manager of the ICC, emphasized that despite Samuels being retired, the ban reflects his status as a participant during the commission of the offenses. Marshall stated, "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."

This is not the first time Samuels has faced such sanctions; he was previously banned for two years in 2008 for passing on match-related information to an Indian bookmaker during West Indies' ODI tour of India in 2007. Over his career, Samuels played 71 Tests, 207 ODIs, and 67 T20s for the West Indies, amassing over 11,000 international runs and taking more than 150 wickets. Despite his contributions on the field, his career has been marred by several controversies, culminating in this latest ban for violating anti-corruption regulations.