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[Saba Sports News] Marlon Samuels, a former West Indian international cricketer, has been handed a six-year ban from all forms of cricket. This decision comes after an independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal, appointed by the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB), found him guilty of violating their Anti-Corruption Code. The ban is effective from November 11, 2023.
The charges against Samuels were brought by the ICC in September 2021, acting as the designated anti-corruption body for the ECB. In August, he was found guilty of four specific offences under the ECB’s Anti-Corruption Code:
Article 2.4.2 (by a majority decision) – Failure to disclose gifts, payments, hospitality, or other benefits that could tarnish the participant’s or cricket’s reputation.
Article 2.4.3 (unanimous decision) – Failure to disclose hospitality exceeding a value of US $750.
Article 2.4.6 (unanimous decision) – Non-cooperation with an anti-corruption investigation.
Article 2.4.7 (unanimous decision) – Obstructing or delaying an investigation by hiding relevant information.
Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager of the HR and Integrity Unit, emphasized Samuels’ long career and his awareness of the Anti-Corruption Code, given his participation in numerous anti-corruption sessions. Although now retired, Samuels was active when the offences occurred. Marshall stated that the six-year ban serves as a strong warning against any rule violations.