Dale Steyn found guilty of breaching ICC Code of Conduct

South Africa fast bowler fined 10 per cent of his match fee for Level 1 offence

South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn has been found guilty under Level 1 of the International Cricket Council’s Code of Conduct following an incident that took place during the third Test between South Africa and the West Indies in Durban.

Steyn was reported by the umpires – on-field officials Simon Taufel and Aleem Dar, third umpire Brian Jerling and fourth official Zed Ndamane – and charged under the C1 section of the Code of Conduct which deals with breaches relating to the Spirit of Cricket.

The charge related to an incident during the West Indies’ second innings with Steyn being found guilty of showing disrespect to batsman Marlon Samuels through his physical and verbal actions. Steyn pleaded not guilty to the charge.

“Taking everything into consideration and looking at video evidence of the incident I found the player guilty,” said Roshan Mahanama of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees, who heard the case.

“The Code of Conduct clearly states that players must, at all times, conduct play within the spirit of the game as well as within the laws. It is something I discussed with the captains before the series began and I feel there is a need to show respect for the opposition, even in the heat of battle,” said Mahanama.

“That said, when considering which penalty to impose I took into account that it was this player’s first offence of this nature.”

The penalty range for a Level 1 offence is between an official reprimand and a fine of up to 50 per cent of the player’s match fee. For Level 1 offences, there is no right of appeal and the referee’s decision is final.

Present at the Code of Conduct hearing were: Match Referee Roshan Mahanama; umpires Simon Taufel, Aleem Dar, Brian Jerling and Zed Ndamane; South Africa managers Goolam Raja and Dr Naidoo; South Africa captain Graeme Smith; witness Marlon Samuels; and the player Dale Steyn.

The full ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials can be found at:

http://in.yimg.com/icccricket/pdfs/code-of-conduct-for-players-and-officials.pdf