West Indies middle order batsman Marlon Samuels has made good on his threat to take legal action against former Australian fast-bowler Geoff Lawson and the Australian publication News.com.au.

It follows disparaging remarks that were made against him following his response to comments made about him by Australian spin legend Shane Warne regarding his performance in the ICC World T20 tournament in April.

Samuels’ barristers filed a law suit for defamation last Friday against Lawson who made the defamatory comments on the Big Sports Breakfast radio programme on April 4.

The suit indicates during the radio podcast Lawson made erroneous, malicious unjustifiable comments in which he stated:

“He’s tied up with some shady people back in the West Indies….he’s a guy you don’t muck around with on or off the field”.

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.

The law suit also include journalist James Matthey who published a story on news.com.au who also accused him of being involved with criminal gangs in Jamaica. Samuels finds the comments defamatory and deeply offensive. Samuels has no criminal record nor has been the subject of any criminal investigations. The comments were published and aired with the absence of conducting proper journalist research, nor where Samuels contacted to give his views on the damaging remarks about his character. Marlon Samuels feels compelled to defend his integrity and his image as an athlete and a sporting ambassador to his country.

Consequently his lawyers filed the defamation suit against Lawson, Matthey, New.com.au and the Big Sports Breakfast radio because of the “offensive remarks” which were published and aired back in April.

Samuels, who was named Man of the Match in the World T20 final, said “Through this case, I intend not only to defend my integrity and my image as a 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.