Scotland's Paul Hoffmann fined for breach of ICC Code of Conduct

cotland player Paul Hoffmann has been fined 50 per cent of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during his country's ODI against Canada in the ICC World Cricket League Division 1 in Nairobi today (Wednesday).

At a hearing that took place following the conclusion of the match, tournament referee Roshan Mahanama of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees found that Hoffmann had committed a Level 2 offence by breaching clause 2.4 of the Code.

The clause relates to inappropriate and deliberate physical contact between players in the course of play and Hoffmann pleaded guilty to the offence.

The offence occurred after Hoffmann had delivered a ball which the batsman played to the on-side. Hoffmann was deemed to have breached the Code after he ran across the pitch and deliberately dropped his shoulder and forcefully bumped into the running non-striker, knocking him to the ground.

The non-striker was able to get up and complete the run but then play had to be stopped for four minutes so that he could receive treatment.

Explaining the decision, Mr Mahanama said: "It is very important that this tournament, as with all cricket, is played in the true spirit of the game and Paul's behaviour was clearly unacceptable. In coming to my decision I took into account Paul's clean past record and the fact that he apologised for his actions."

The charge was brought by on-field umpires Gary Baxter of the Emirates International Panel of ICC Umpires and Roger Dill of the ICC Associates and Affiliates Umpires' Panel. Mr Mahanama reached his decision after the hearing, which was attended by the offending player, Scotland captain Craig Wright, Scotland team manager Dick Auchinleck, and umpires Baxter and Dill.

All Level 2 breaches carry a minimum penalty of a fine of 50 per cent of a player's match fee and a maximum penalty of their full match fee and/or a one Test match or two ODI ban.

The player does have a right of appeal. An appeal must be lodged in writing with the ICC Legal Counsel setting out the grounds of appeal within 24 hours of the ICC Match Referee's decision.