CRICKET icon Marlon Samuels has been banned from the sport for six years.

It comes after an independent Anti-Corruption Tribunal found him guilty of breaching corruption rules.

The former West Indies cricketer has played 71 Tests and 274-limited-overs internationals for his country.

This included starring roles with the bat in the 2012 and 2016 T20 World Cups.

The 40-year-old was charged with failing to disclose receipt of payment, gift or other benefit “that could bring the participant or sport of cricket into disrepute”.

He also failed to disclose hospitality worth more than £550.

The charges were brought by the International Cricket Council on behalf of the regional authority which relates to Samuels’ participation in the Abu Dhabi-based T10 league.

The remaining charges were down to failure to co-operate and obstruction or delay of the subsequent investigation.

The ICC General Manager of their HR and Integrity Unit, Alex Marshall, said: “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.

“Though he is retired now, Mr Samuels was a participant when the offences were committed.

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“The ban of six years will act as a strong deterrent to any participant who intends to break the rules.”

The ban is effective from November 11, 2023.

Samuels has been involved in a bitter rivalry with Ben Stokes since 2015.

He famously saluted Stokes off the field when the Englishman was caught.

Samuels later described Stokes as a “nervous laddie” after the Windies won the T20 final over England in 2016.

In his autobiography last year, Stokes accused Samuels of lacking respect and said he was one cricketer he cannot stand.

Samuels also has a long-running feud with Shane Warne and once said: “Maybe it’s because my face is real and his is not.”

The Jamaican was described by Windies T20 captain Carlos Brathwaite as “the kind of person who winds up the opposition”.