West Indies vs England: Shannon Gabriel banned for four ODIs after ‘homophobic comment’

Gabriel was widely rebuked for comments made in an exchange with Joe Root during the third Test in St Lucia

The ICC has banned Shannon Gabriel for the first four matches of the West Indies’ one-day series against England.

The charge relates to a “homophobic comment” made by Gabriel during an exchange with Joe Root during the third Test in St Lucia.

Root’s response to Gabriel was picked up by the stump-mic, where England’s captain can be heard saying: ”Don’t use it as an insult. There’s nothing wrong with being gay.”

After the incident, Root said: ”The ICC have got to handle things – I am not in a position to comment.”

A statement by the ICC confirmed that Gabriel had now admitted guilt over ”personal abuse of a player, player support personnel, umpire or match referee during an international match” after the incident was reported by match referee, Jeff Crowe.

The fast-bowler was also fined 75% of his match wages and received three demerit points.