It's official, Samuels out for two years

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)

West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels was banned from cricket for two years yesterday for breaking rules intended to prevent players from betting on matches.

The International Cricket Council confirmed the automatic ban after receiving the judgement by the West Indies Cricket Board's disciplinary committee.

Samuels was allegedly recorded by Indian police as he passed on information to an Indian bookmaker during West Indies' one-day series in the country.

Breaking the rules

Samuels denied giving out any information, but WICB found him guilty of contravening rules prohibiting a player from receiving any type of reward that "could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute."

The 27-year-old Samuels was banned from May 9, 2008.

"Corruption is a serious matter," acting ICC chief executive David Richardson said. "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."