Posted in Foreign News

ICC slammed for blocking Australian cricketer’s show of support for Gaza

   December 25, 2023
ICC slammed for blocking Australian cricketer’s show of support for Gaza


Khawaja’s attempt to display a message of support and a peace sign on his boots was blocked by the world cricket governing body.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been criticized for a “lack of moral standing” after it refused to allow an Australian cricketer to show on-field support for Gaza, where more than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks.

Australian Usman Khawaja had “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” written on his boots in the colors of the Palestinian flag in a training session before the first game against Pakistan earlier this month.

In an emotional post

He was also reprimanded by the ICC for wearing a black armband, which the batsman described as a sign of personal death.

His next attempt – to print a dove and olive branch on his bat and shoes – was also blocked by the International Criminal Court, with a spokesman for cricket’s world body quoted by ESPNCricinfo as saying that “personal messages of this nature are not permitted under the clause.” “F of the clothing and equipment regulations”.

“The ICC supports players who use their platforms outside the playing arena to promote human rights, peace and equality and would encourage them to continue to use alternative platforms,” the ICC spokesperson added.

Khawaja said the logo, a reference to Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, had been approved by Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association.

“I respect the ICC and its rules and regulations. I will ask and challenge them that they make it fair and just for everyone and that they are consistent in their official acts,” Khawaja said on Friday. “This consistency has not yet been achieved. I was very open and honest. I will clear this up with the ICC.”

In 2014, England all-rounder Moeen Ali was banned by the International Criminal Court from wearing armbands with the slogans “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine”.

However, in 2019, Indian cricketers wore army camouflage-style caps at a match against Australia in solidarity with Indian paramilitary police who were killed in an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.

The ICC also allowed players to “take a knee” before international matches in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 and 2021.

“I’ve been following the Khawaja fiasco and can’t say I’m surprised by the ICC’s stance,” said former West Indies fast bowler Michael Holding.

“If it had been most other organizations that had shown some consistency in their attitudes and behavior on certain issues, I could claim to be surprised, but not them. Once again they show their hypocrisy and lack of moral standing as an organization.”

“ICC regulations state that authorization cannot be granted for messages relating to political, religious or racist activities or causes. So how did people get on their knees and stumps covered in LGBTQ paint because of BLM?”

Australian captain Pat Cummins also backed Khawaja’s stance and support while questioning the ICC’s lack of clarity on the rules that allow players to show their support for such causes.

“I think he stands up for what he believes in and I think he does it really respectfully. All lives are equal and I don’t think that’s very offensive and I would say the same thing about the pigeon,” Cummins said.

Israel launched a full-scale attack on Gaza following the Hamas attack on October 7. In addition to the 20,000 people killed in the besieged enclave, more than 54,000 were injured and hundreds are reportedly still buried under the rubble.





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