Marlon Samuels files lawsuit against former Australia pacer Geoff Lawson

Jamaica: West Indies middle-order batsman Marlon Smauels has filed a defamation case against former Australian fast bowler Geoff Lawson and Australian news publication News.com.au. Samuels decided to drag Lawson and News.com.au to court for their ‘erroneous, malicious and unjustifiable comments’ during a radio show in April this year that accused the West Indian of being ‘tied up with gangs in Jamaica’. According to Samuels’ statement, Lawson made the comments on the ‘Big Sports Breakfast’ radio programme after the World Twenty20 final in April while commenting on Samuels’ argument with England’s Ben Stokes on the field. “He’s tied up with some pretty shady people back in the West Indies, he’s a guy you don’t muck around with on or off the field,” Lawson had said. “He’s from Kingston, Jamaica, it’s one of the murder capitals of the world…he’s tied up with gangs there, it goes well beyond cricket.” Lawson is not the only one being taken to court as journalist James Matthey at News.com.au also finds himself under fire after he published the quotes, and called Lawson’s accusations ‘an extra reason not to get on Marlon Samuels’ bad side’. Samuels finds the comments defamatory and deeply offensive. Samuels has no criminal record nor has been the subject of any criminal investigations. “Through this case, I intend not only to defend my integrity and my image as an international cricketer but also the values I have defended all my career. “I also wish to avoid any public figure from making insulting or false allegations against an athlete using the media, without any evidence or foundation and to go unpunished. “If I win this case any compensation awarded I will donate some of the proceeds to the Marlon Samuels Society for the Blind in Jamaica. “The comments were published and aired with the absence of conducting proper journalist research, nor were Samuels contacted to give his views on the damaging remarks about his character. Samuels feels compelled to defend his integrity and his image as an athlete and a sporting ambassador to his country,” the statement read.