West Indies cricketer Marlon Samuels has been banned by the International Cricket Board (ICC) for six years for breaching the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Anti-Corruption Code.

Samuels, a two-time T20 World Cup winner, was charged by the ICC in September 2021 on four different counts before being found guilty in August this year. The charges were related to the Abu Dhabi T10 in 2019, where he did not play but was part of the team, Karnataka Tuskers.

The four charges Samuels was found guilty of were:

Article 2.4.2 – Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official, 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.

Article 2.4.3 – Failing to disclose to the Designated Anti-Corruption Official receipt of hospitality with a value of US $750 or more.

Article 2.4.6 – Failing to cooperate with the Designated Anti-Corruption Official’s investigation.

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 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,” said Alex Marshall, ICC General Manager of HR and Integrity Unit.

“Though he is retired now, Mr Samuels was a participant when the offences were committed. The ban of six years will act as a strong deterrent to any participant who intends to break the rules.

Samuels was West Indies’ top-scorer in the finals of the 2012 and 2016 T20 World Cups and was one of the most in-demand and best players in the shorter format due to his ability to play aggressive cricket.