West Indies Cricketer Devon Thomas Handed a 5-Year Ban for Breaching Anti-Corruption Codes

May 2, 2024 0 918

Devon Thomas was banned for admitting to breaching anti-corruption codes in three cricket leagues.

West Indies batter Devon Thomas has received a five-year ban from all cricket after admitting to violating anti-corruption codes on seven occasions. The International Cricket Council (ICC), acting as the designated anti-corruption official, announced the ban, ruling that the last 18 months of the period of ineligibility would be suspended.

The charges against Thomas stemmed from his actions during the Lanka Premier League 2021, the Abu Dhabi T10 2021, and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2021. He was found guilty of failing to report instances where he was approached to engage in corrupt activities and of obstructing investigations into these approaches.

The most serious of those charges saw the 34-year-old West Indies cricketer accept he was guilty of contriving to be party to match-fixing attempts in the Sri Lanka-based tournament. All of these violations fall under the anti-corruption codes of Sri Lanka Cricket, the Emirates Cricket Board, and the CPL.

The ICC emphasised the seriousness of the offences. Alex Marshall, General Manager of the ICC’s Integrity Unit, highlighted that though Thomas, as an experienced cricketer, had participated in anti-corruption training programs, he banished the rules. Marshall stated that the ban serves as a strong deterrent to both players and potential corrupters who might attempt to compromise the integrity of the sport.

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“Having played both international and professional domestic and franchise cricket, Devon attended numerous anti-corruption education sessions. He therefore knew what his obligations were under the Anti-Corruption Codes but failed to meet these obligations across three different franchise leagues. This ban is appropriate and should send a strong message to players and corrupters that attempts to corrupt our sport will be dealt with firmly,” remarked Marshall.