ICC Code of Conduct | Fairplay Cricket Analysis

The ICC Code of Conduct is the ICC’s disciplinary framework for players and player support personnel in international cricket. It classifies misconduct from Level 1 to Level 4, permits sanctions from a warning or fine to suspension, and adds demerit points that can trigger a ban. The current document linked on the ICC regulations page is the Code effective from 16 June 2023. A level is not a verdict: the charge, evidence, process and sanction matter.

At a glance: offence levels describe the seriousness available for a particular charge; the penalty within that level is decided case by case. Demerit points stay active for 24 months, and four or more accumulated points convert into suspension points under the Code.

What the ICC Code covers

The Code applies automatically when a player takes part in an International Match or when player support personnel assist that participation. It also covers conduct during or in relation to an ICC Event. Its reach is wider than a ball being in play: for an International Match, the Code explains that conduct at the ground on the match day, including in changing rooms or intervals, may be “during” the match. The ICC’s jurisdiction is nevertheless limited to international-match and ICC-event connections; a domestic competition may instead apply its own regulations. ICC Code, Articles 1–2

“Player support personnel” matters: this is not only a player discipline list. The Code extends to them, while match officials have a separate ICC code. Read a report for the article charged, competition and person’s role—not merely for the word “ban.” ICC Code of Conduct regulations page

The Code is one formal expression of values that readers can explore in our guide to the Spirit of Cricket. It is not designed to punish every trivial lapse: the document says its four-level structure runs from conduct of a minor nature to conduct of an extremely serious nature.

The four offence levels, in plain English

A level is a framework, not an automatic punishment

Articles 2.1–2.22 list conduct and show the levels available for each article. Some descriptions can only be charged at one level; others permit more than one because context changes seriousness. Guidance notes provide examples, not an exhaustive list. ICC Code, Article 2

• Level 1 is the minor end. Examples include excessive appealing, abuse of equipment or clothing, an audible obscenity, disobeying an umpire’s instruction and a provocative dismissal send-off. Loud appealing or an appropriate celebration is not automatically a breach; the Code makes those distinctions. ICC Code, Articles 2.1–2.6
• Level 2 is available for public criticism or inappropriate comment, dissent, inappropriate or dangerous throwing, listed unfair play, inappropriate strategic or tactical match manipulation, and some inappropriate physical contact. Several of these articles also permit Level 1, depending on the facts and context. ICC Code, Articles 2.7–2.12
• Level 3 includes particular serious actions such as changing the ball’s condition in breach of the playing conditions, attempting to gain an unfair advantage, intimidating an umpire or Match Referee, and certain personal abuse, threats or inappropriate contact. ICC Code, Articles 2.12–2.17
• Level 4 covers physical assault, an act of violence on the field, and specified threats or physical contact involving an umpire or Match Referee. The two catch-all articles—conduct contrary to the spirit of the game and conduct bringing the game into disrepute—can be charged at any level, depending on seriousness and context. ICC Code, Articles 2.17–2.21

Separate ICC rules deal with discrimination and corruption. Article 2.11, for example, excludes corrupt or fraudulent acts and related betting activity, which belong under the Anti-Corruption Code. For a broader explanation of the values involved, see what fair play means in cricket.

Penalties and demerit points

The Code sets permissible ranges; it does not prescribe one identical punishment for every charge. When setting a sanction, a Match Referee or Judicial Commissioner considers relevant mitigating and aggravating factors. Article 7.3 then assigns demerit points according to the sanction actually imposed. ICC Code, Article 7.2–7.3

Article 7.3 sanction ranges and corresponding demerit points

Level	Permissible sanction	Demerit-point outcome
1	Warning and/or fine up to 50% of the applicable match fee	1 point for a warning or 0–25% fine; 2 points for a 26–50% fine
2	Fine of 50–100% of the applicable match fee or up to 2 suspension points	3 points for a 50–100% fine or 1 suspension point; 4 points for 2 suspension points
3	4–12 suspension points	5 points for 4–7 suspension points; 6 points for 8–12
4	12 suspension points, or a fixed suspension from at least the lesser of 12 points and one year up to life	7 points for 12 suspension points; 8 points for the stated fixed-period range

This table cannot calculate a future case. Minimum over-rate offences have specialised rules in Appendix 2. ICC Code, Article 7.3 and Appendix 2

How a demerit total becomes a ban

Demerit points remain active for 24 months from imposition. At a threshold crossing, 4–7 points equal 2 suspension points; 8–11 equal 4; 12–15 equal 6; and 16 or more equal 8. A new sanction can therefore have a larger consequence if earlier points remain active. ICC Code, Articles 7.5–7.7

A suspension point is a unit, not always one match. A Test or another International Match lasting at least four days counts as two points; an ODI or T20I counts as one. The ICC considers the person’s participation across formats over the previous two years and applies points, so far as reasonably possible, to upcoming internationals in which they are most likely to participate, in chronological order. ICC Code, Articles 7.4 and 7.9

A direct suspension for the offence and one caused by accumulated demerits both apply, but run concurrently. Demerits do not disappear after the suspension; they remain for 24 months. So “four demerit points means a ban” is useful shorthand, not a complete account.

From report to decision

A public charge is not a final finding. Umpires, relevant national federations’ CEOs or designees, the ICC CEO, and in defined circumstances the Match Referee may report an alleged offence. A report is reviewed and, where there is a case to answer, a Notice of Charge follows. The person may admit and accept the proposed sanction, admit but dispute it, or deny the charge and proceed to a hearing. ICC Code, Articles 3–4

Levels 1–3 that reach a hearing go to a Match Referee, with a fair opportunity to present evidence and question witnesses where necessary; video evidence may be used. A Level 4 hearing goes to an independent Judicial Commissioner from the ICC Code of Conduct Commission. ICC Code, Article 5

Appeal rights also differ. A Match Referee’s Level 1 decision is non-appealable under Article 8. A Level 2 or Level 3 decision, and a minimum-over-rate decision, may be appealed to a Judicial Commissioner; a Level 4 decision may be appealed to an Appeal Panel. Decisions generally stay in effect during an appeal unless the relevant appellate body orders otherwise. ICC Code, Article 8

Do not confuse the ICC Code with MCC Law 42

MCC writes and interprets the Laws, while the ICC applies international playing conditions. MCC’s current Laws page lists the 2017 Code, 4th Edition 2026 and notes that playing regulations can differ at higher levels. MCC, The Laws of Cricket Law 42 deals with players’ conduct in the match and can give umpires immediate powers. In the ICC World Test Championship 2025–2027 Playing Conditions, a Level 4 Law 42 offence requires removal for the rest of the match and a report under the ICC Code. ICC World Test Championship 2025–2027 Playing Conditions, clause 42

So the frameworks can interact without being the same thing. A match may need an immediate on-field remedy under Laws or playing conditions, followed by an ICC disciplinary process that can impose a fine, demerits or an international suspension. The fact that both use levels does not make their consequences interchangeable.

How to read a Code of Conduct story carefully

Start with the article, level and penalty stated in the official decision. Then check whether demerit points were added and whether the person had active points already. Finally, separate an immediate in-match Law 42 consequence from any later ICC sanction. The ICC’s regulations page also links breach registers, including men’s and women’s material current to 30 June 2026 when accessed for this draft, but individual cases still need their own official notice or decision. ICC Code of Conduct page

For more rule explanations, visit the Fair Play hub or browse our fair-play questions and answers. This guide reflects the official ICC document available on 21 October 2026; the ICC may amend the Code, so a later version should be checked before relying on a rule in a new case.