Australia: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has come under fire for showing a “lack of moral standing” after it blocked an Australian cricket player from supporting Gaza during a match.
Before the first game against Pakistan earlier this month, Australia’s Usman Khawaja had the words “All lives are equal” and “Freedom is a human right” written in the colours of the Palestinian flag on his boots during a training session.
In a post on X, Khawaja later said the ICC “told me I can’t wear my shoes on the field because they believe it’s a political statement under their guidelines.” The ICC also condemned him for wearing a black armband, which the batter claimed was due to a personal loss.
The ICC disallowed his subsequent attempt to print an olive branch and a dove on his shoes and bat. An ESPNCricinfo spokesperson cited the ICC as stating that “personal messages of this nature are not allowed as per Clause F of the Clothing and Equipment Regulations.”
“The ICC is supportive of players using their platforms outside of the playing arena to promote human rights, peace and equality and would encourage him to continue to use alternative platforms,” the ICC spokesperson added.
Khawaja stated that Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association had approved the logo, which refers to Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“I respect the ICC and the rules and regulations they have. I will be asking them and contesting they make it fair and equitable for everyone and they have consistency in how they officiate. That consistency hasn’t been done yet. I was very open and honest with that. I’ll deal with that with the ICC,” Khawaja remarked.
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