Virat Kohli was fined 25% of his match fee for violating Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the course of the World Cup game against Afghanistan at the Hampshire Bowl held on June 22, 2019.
In a statement issued by ICC, it was stated that “Kohli was found to have breached Article 2.1 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to ‘Excessive appealing during an International Match’.”
As per reports, the incident occurred during the 29th over of Afghanistan’s chase when, after an lbw appeal was turned down, “Kohli advanced towards umpire Aleem Darin an aggressive manner.”
Kohli admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by the match referee Chris Broad of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, and as such, there was no need for a formal hearing.
In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to the disciplinary record of Kohli, for whom it was the second offence since the introduction of the revised Code in September 2016. The cricketer got the first demerit point during the Pretoria Test against South Africa on January 15, 2018.
The breach of Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct, carries a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50% of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
When a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points and a player is banned.
Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.
Demerit points to remain on a Player or Player Support Personnel’s disciplinary record for a period of 24 months from their imposition following which they will be expunged.
(With inputs from PTI)
