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Marlon Sanuels' misdemeanour on the current tour of India did not warrant expulsion, because the penalty was not in keeping with the West Indies Cricket Board's (WICB) disciplinary guidelines.

Instead, the 21-year-old Jamaican was fined 15 per cent of his match fee after breaking curfew in the early stages of the tour.

In response to reports on a Caribbean cricket website which said Samuels was saved from banishment after the intervention of Rev. Wes Hall, the WICB president said yesterday he was diametrically opposed to the impression given that he condoned indiscipline.

"After seeking legal advice, it was clear that Samuels' offence did not rise to the level of expulsion," Hall told NATIONSPORT before heading off to Antigua on WICB business.

"The guidelines stipulate that first offence is a fine and second on the same tour is expulsion.

"To send home any person, the manager will seek the concurrence of the board. For the board to send home anyone, it has to make sure it is not liable to be sued or anything like that."

Hall also pointed out there were set procedures with respect to matters of curfew and any acts of indiscipline.

"It is in under the purview of the manager and tour committee, but serious offences are concurred in with the board," the WICB head said.

"As a routine, we would seek legal advice. The legal advice was that the punishment must be commensurate with the stated guidelines.

"As a consequence, it was felt Samuels' offence did not rise to the level of expulsion and the management out there took the necessary action."

It was stressed, however, that the WICB in no way condoned acts of indiscipline.

"Whereas we are viewing very seriously any evidence of indiscipline … we cannot be indisciplined in our quest to invoke punitive measures," Hall said.

"We asked for the best legal advice in Barbados and it was said the punishment must be commensurate with the documented guideline.

"If it is a serious offence, it must have the concurrence of the board. When it comes to serious offences, the board will seek legal advice. If the legal advice says we shouldn't go the way of expulsion, we don't."

© Barbados Nation