Former West Indies batting sensation Marlon Samuels has been slapped with a six-year ban from all cricketing activities due to his failure to disclose benefits received during the Abu Dhabi T10 league. The ban, effective from November 11, stems from Samuels breaching the Emirates Cricket Board’s anti-corruption code on four counts.

Playing 71 Tests, 207 ODIs, and 67 T20Is, Samuels faced charges related to the Abu Dhabi T10 league in 2019. The International Cricket Council (ICC), acting as the Designated Anti-Corruption Official of the Emirates board, initiated the charges in September 2021.

The tribunal found Samuels guilty in August, citing his failure to disclose gifts or benefits that could bring the sport into disrepute. He was also guilty of not disclosing hospitality with a value exceeding USD 750 and obstructing the investigation by not cooperating.

The ICC emphasized Samuels’ obligations under the Anti-Corruption Codes, stating,

“The ban of six years will act as a strong deterrent to any participant who intends to break the rules,” according to Alex Marshall, the ICC General Manager of HR and Integrity Unit.

Despite his ban, Samuels left an indelible mark on cricket, particularly with top-scoring performances for the West Indies in the T20 World Cup finals in 2012 and 2016. Accumulating over 11,000 runs in international cricket, his achievements are now overshadowed by his involvement in anti-corruption violations.

This is not the first time Samuels has faced sanctions; he was previously banned for two years in 2008 for

“receiving money or benefits that could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute.”

Having last played for the West Indies in 2018, Samuels officially announced his retirement in 2020. The ban serves as a significant blow to the legacy of a cricketer who once stood as a key figure in West Indies cricket.