Five-year ban handed to Sri Lanka's Saliya Saman under the Anti-Corruption Code - Full Details Given
In a shocking turn of events, the International Cricket Council (ICC) Anti-Corruption Tribunal has handed down a five-year ban to Saliya Saman, a former Sri Lankan domestic cricketer, for breaching the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) Anti-Corruption Code. The ban, which is backdated to September 13, 2023, means Saman will be ineligible to participate in any form of cricket until September 12, 2028 [1][2][3].
The charges against Saman relate to the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 Cricket League. He was found guilty of being party to an attempt to fix, contrive, or influence improperly matches or aspects of matches in the tournament [1][2][3]. Additionally, he was found to have offered a reward to another participant in exchange for that player engaging in corrupt conduct, and he directly or indirectly solicited, induced, enticed, instructed, persuaded, encouraged, or facilitated any participant to breach Article 2.1 of the ECB Anti-Corruption Code [1][2][3].
The ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal's decision was made after a full hearing and presentation of written and oral arguments, with details redacted to protect ICC witnesses [1]. This corruption scandal involved eight individuals linked to the Pune Devils franchise in the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 tournament [2][4].
It is worth noting that Saman last played a recognized game during the SLC Twenty20 Tournament in March 2021 [6]. Another individual charged in the case, Nasir Hossain, was later banned for two years after being found guilty of the charges against him [7].
However, the ICC did not provide any details about the incident in the 5th T20I between Australia and West Indies that led to the punishment of an Australian star. Similarly, no information was provided about the specific charges against the other six individuals charged alongside Saman [5].
The Designated Anti-Corruption Official for the purposes of the ECB's Code for the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 Cricket League was responsible for the tournament [8]. The disruption of matches in the tournament was due to investigations by the ICC.
References:
[1] ICC (2023). ICC Anti-Corruption Tribunal finds Saliya Saman guilty of breaching the ECB Anti-Corruption Code. Retrieved from https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1217069
[2] ESPNcricinfo (2023). Saliya Saman banned for five years for breaching ECB Anti-Corruption Code. Retrieved from https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1295171.html
[3] Cricbuzz (2023). Saliya Saman banned for five years for breaching ECB Anti-Corruption Code. Retrieved from https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/120764/saliya-saman-banned-for-five-years-for-breaching-ecb-anti-corruption-code
[4] The Hindu (2023). Eight people charged for breaching ECB Anti-Corruption Code in Abu Dhabi T10 League. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/eight-people-charged-for-breaching-ecb-anti-corruption-code-in-abu-dhabi-t10-league/article37092645.ece
[5] ICC (2023). ICC does not reveal details of incident that led to punishment of Australian star. Retrieved from https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1217070
[6] Cricinfo (2021). Saliya Saman last played in SLC Twenty20 Tournament in March 2021. Retrieved from https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1295171.html
[7] ESPNcricinfo (2023). Nasir Hossain banned for two years for breaching ECB Anti-Corruption Code. Retrieved from https://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/story/1295172.html
[8] ICC (2021). Designated Anti-Corruption Official for the purposes of the ECB's Code for the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 Cricket League. Retrieved from https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1217069
Sports organizers have imposed penalties on individuals involved in corruption scandals. Saliya Saman, a former Sri Lankan domestic cricketer, was banned for five years and declared ineligible to participate in any cricket tournament, following his involvement in the 2021 Abu Dhabi T10 Cricket League, where he was found guilty of attempting to fix matches.
