Ex-West Indies All-Rounder Samuels Facing Corruption Charges
Marlon Samuels, the former Jamaica and West Indies cricketer, was charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday (22 September) for breaching four counts of the world governing body of cricket’s anti-corruption code.
The 40-year-old, who was a right-handed middle order batsman and an off-spinner, is alleged to have broken the ICC regulations while playing limited overs cricket in the United Arab Emirates.
Charges by the ICC against Samuels, who last represented the Windies three years, relate to the T10 League in Abu Dhabi. He called stumps on his career last year.
Kingston-born Samuels, who played for the West Indies in all three formats and was an esteemed ODI captain, is alleged to have failed to disclose “the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit” that could bring him into disrepute as well as the receipt of hospitality worth US$750 (£545) or more.
The ICC claim that Samuels also failed to co-operate with an anti-corruption official and concealed information that may have been relevant to the investigation.
Samuels has been charged with the following offences under the ICC anti-corruption code:
A breach of Article 2.4.2 | Failing to disclose to the designated anti-corruption cfficial, the receipt of any gift, payment, hospitality or other benefit that was made or given in circumstances that could bring the Participant or the sport of cricket into disrepute;
A breach of Article 2.4.3 | Failing to disclose to the designated anti-corruption official receipt of hospitality with a value of US$750 or more;
Breaches of Article 2.4.6 | Failing to co-operate with the designated anti-corruption official ’s investigation, and;
Breaches of Article 2.4.7 | Obstructing or delaying the designated anti-corruption official’s investigation by concealing information that may have been relevant to the investigation.
Samuels has 14 days, starting from 21 September, to respond to the four charges.
Cricket West Indies (CWI) released a statement: “While CWI has yet to receive detailed information relating to this ICC investigation, CWI remains firm in denouncing any such activities within the sport, and fully supports the ICC anti-corruption unit in their efforts to rid the sport of all corruption.
“While this ongoing investigation continues, CWI will not make any further comment in respect of these charges.”
The ICC handed Samuels a two-year ban after he was caught on tape passing on match-related information to an Indian bookmaker during Windies’ ODI series in India.
Samuels made a sensational start to his international career with ODI and Test debuts as a stylish middle order batsman aged 19-year-old in 2000. Despite the two-ban he went on to play 67 Twenty20 internationals, 71 Tests and 207 ODIs.
His 56-ball knock of 78 earned the player of the match in the 2012 World T20 final success over Sri Lanka, and he again scooped the same accolade in the final four years later with an unbeaten score of 85 in the victory over England.
But he constantly ruffled people’s feathers during his long-standing career. Failure to live up to his initial potential as a natural stroke player, as well as twice being banned for what was deemed an illegal bowling action for his right arm off-breaks, resulted in frustration off the pitch. These collectively led to a string of antics that constantly baffled those involved in the sport, including former players working in the media.
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