Calcutta: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has introduced a 'demerit' points system to its existing Code of Conduct rules which could lead to suspension for repeat offenders, according to a release on Thursday.

While there are no changes to list of offences and the penalties - namely warning, fines and suspension - applicable to each offence, the demerit system will ensure those crossing the line repeatedly will accumulate negative points that would eventually lead to suspension.

According to Article 7.1 of the ICC' Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, a Level 1 offence, which earlier used to have a minimum punishment of a warning and a maximum of a 50 per cent fine in match fee, will now also see the guilty player receive up to two demerit points, depending on the seriousness of his breach.

Correspondingly, a Level 2 offence can lead to three or four demerit points, and so on. A Level 4 offence - the most serious under ICC's regulations - will lead to eight demerit points for the player in question, apart from suspension. The new system will be effective immediately, with all players starting on zero points.

"Players who have breached the Code will now also accumulate demerit points," the release stated.