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Samuels handed ban after corruption conviction

13/05/2008

West Indies cricketer Marlon Samuels will receive a minimum two-year ban for accepting payment for match information in January 2007.

A disciplinary committee of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) conducted an investigation into allegations that the all-rounder was in contravention of rule C4 (IX) of the International Cricket Council's code of conduct.

The rule states it is an offence to "receive any money, benefit or other reward (whether financial or otherwise) which could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute".

And the allegations suggested Samuels received payment for passing on information ahead of West Indies' one-day international against India in Nagpur on January 21st.

He was also put up in a Mumbai hotel at the end of the tour.

Reacting to the decision, ICC acting chief executive David Richardson said: "We thank the WICB for completing its enquiry into the matter culminating with the disciplinary committee meeting on May 9th.

"We are yet to see the whole judgment to put the matter of the punishment into its proper context but we note the WICB disciplinary committee found the player guilty and has imposed an immediate ban."

Richardson noted that the two-year ban, effective from May 9th, was a minimum punishment and could be extended if the ICC sees fit - especially as it is looking to crack down on corruption within the game.

"In terms of the punishment handed down, minimum penalties were agreed by the ICC board, including all full members, and they reflect the seriousness of the issues at hand," he continued.

"Corruption is a serious matter, dealing with it effectively is fundamental to the integrity of our sport and this matter is a demonstration that its threat has not gone away.

"It is never pleasant when a player is banned but the process in arriving at this point has been an extremely thorough one and we hope the case serves as a reminder to players and officials to remain vigilant."

The ban means Samuels will not be allowed to play in any Tests, one-day internationals or Twenty20 internationals for West Indies.

He is also suspended from all first-class matches organised under the ICC umbrella or its member bodies.