West Indies cricketer Marlon Samuels has boasted of his ‘f***ing superior skin tone’ in a racist attack on rival Ben Stokes.
The Jamaican also taunted 2019’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year by saying: ‘Give me 14 days with your wife turn har [sic] into Jamaican in 14 seconds mate.’
The shocking outburst came after the England all-rounder joked he would not wish two weeks of Covid-19 quarantine on his ‘worst enemy’ – even Samuels.
The Durham cricketer has yet to comment publicly on Samuels’ post, but used his Instagram story to post a series of pictures of his rival.
The 29-year-old posted two close-up photos of the former West Indies captain, 39, followed by ones of him arguing with retired Australian spinner Shane Warne.
The Jamaican also taunted 2019’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year by saying: ‘Give me 14 days with your wife turn har [sic] into Jamaican in 14 seconds mate.’ Pictured: Stokes and wife Clare last year
The shocking outburst came after the England all-rounder joked he would not wish two weeks of Covid-19 quarantine on his ‘worst enemy’ – even Samuels (pictured rowing in 2016)
Samuels’ post on Instagram which has been widely condemned as racist and unacceptable
In one foul-mouthed Instagram post, Samuels described Stokes and former Australian cricketer Shane Warne as ‘b****’
Samuels continued his tirade against Stokes in another Instagram post, recalling how he saluted the England batsmen after he was dismissed at Grenada in 2015
The row started when Stokes told the BBC Test Match Special podcast: ‘Some of the England boys were messaging me asking what it’s like and I was saying it wasn’t the most enjoyable thing you ever have to do… I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.
‘I text my brother saying the same thing and my brother asked, ”you wouldn’t even do that to Marlon Samuels”? I said, ”no, it’s that bad” – that’s how tough it was.’
Stokes had to quarantine for a fortnight in August when he travelled to New Zealand to visit his father Ged, who is battling brain cancer.
He had to self-isolate a second time after then flying to the United Arab Emirates to play in the Indian Premier League for Rajasthan Royals.
But Samuels took the joke to heart and quickly hit back using his Instagram stories.
He wrote: : ‘No white boy can diss me in the sports and no (sic) get diss back.’
He also called Stokes a ‘b****’ and added: ‘Give me 14 days with your wife turn har [sic] into Jamaican in 14 seconds mate.’
Samuels later had a pop at Warne, also calling him ‘b****’ while heavily plugging his brand of perfume range Sextillion.
He followed it with a number of supportive messages from fans and a recording of a message supposedly sent to him from an English cricket coach.
He claimed it had advice on how to avoid ‘Ben Stokes syndrome’ of getting out early. Samuels later deleted some of the offensive posts.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan criticised Samuels on Twitter, saying: ‘This is appalling @marlonsamuels…’
‘We are trying to stamp out racism…!! A bit of banter by @benstokes38 should not lead to this…’
Warne commented: ‘I’ve just been sent what Samuels has posted re @benstokes38 & I.
‘It’s a very sad situation as he obviously needs serious help-but has no friends at all & not even his ex teammates like him.
‘Just because you were an ordinary cricketer-no need to be an ordinary person. Get help son.’
Broadcaster Piers Morgan added: ‘Absolutely disgraceful racist abuse by Samuels. If a white player said this to a black player he would be banned for life. Shameful.’
It is not the first time Stokes and Samueals have clashed in the past, with them having more than five years of feuds.
Samuels saluted Stokes off the field when he got out during a Test match in Grenada in April 2015.
Samuels (right) and Stokes (left) have previous from the cricket field – Samuels saluted Stokes as he left the field during a 2015 Test match between West Indies and England in Grenada
Samuels later had a pop at Warne (pictured in 2013), also calling him ‘b****’ while promoting his brand of perfume range
The England man, who married Clare in Weston-Super-Mare in Somerset in 2017 and has two children, returned the favour by applauding when Samuels got out.
The pair also fell out during the 2016 World Twenty20 final in Kolkata after Carlos Brathwaite hit four consecutive sixes off Stokes deliveries in the final over.
In his 2016 book Firestarter, Stokes accused Samuels of ‘lacking respect.’
He wrote: ‘Marlon lacks respect. You get that if you have spent any time with him on a cricket field.
‘Marlon’s conduct after West Indies’ victory over us in this year’s World Twenty20 final showed a total disrespect for the game.
‘Without removing his batting pads, Marlon walked into a press conference, sat down and placed his feet on the desk. Totally lacking manners.’
Stokes hit back by posting a series of photographs of Samuels in action on his Instagram
Samuels has also clashed with Warne on and off the cricket pitch in the past.
During the Australian Big Bash League in 2013, they squared up when Samuels appeared to hold the shirt of batsman David Hussey as he was about to go for a run.
Later in the contest, when Warne was bowling and Samuels batting, the Aussie pulled on his shirt while shouting ‘want to grab some more people? F*** you mate.’
In another incident, Warne threw the ball towards his torso while fielding, with Samuels then throwing his bat in Warne’s direction.
After retirement, Warne moved to the commentary box and has been critical of Samuels on a number of occasions.
