Usman Khawaja Charged for Wearing Black Armband in Test against Pakistan

CANBERRA: Australian opener Usman Khawaja has been charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for wearing a black armband during the first Test against Pakistan.

According to a leading Australian news website, Khawaja, 36, has been “slapped down” by the ICC after his protest – wearing a black armband in solidarity with Palestine – in the first Test, in Perth. In a statement issued to the News Corp, the governing body of the cricket world has confirmed that it has charged Khawaja for the move.

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A spokesperson for the ICC said: “Usman Khawaja has been charged for breaching Clause F of the Clothing and Equipment Regulations, which can be found on the ICC Playing Conditions page. The sanctions for a breach of the regulations are outlined in Appendix 2”.

The spokesperson added: “Usman displayed a personal message (arm band) during the 1st Test Match against Pakistan without seeking the prior approval of Cricket Australia and the ICC to display it, as required in the regulations for personal messages”.

Usman Khawaja Charged for Wearing Black Armband in Test against Pakistan | Baaghi TV

According to the ICC, the move is considered a breach under the category of “other breach” the sanction for which is a reprimand in case of a first offence. After this, Cricket Australia took action and dropped the opener days out from the Boxing Day Test, as confirmed by a News Corp report.

It is pertinent to note that before this, Khawaja’s hopes of a human rights protest at the Boxing Day Test were shut down by Cricket Australia. According to reports, the Aussie player lashed out at the ICC for censoring him and promised to continue amplifying the message of support for civilians in Gaza.

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According to media reports, Khawaja had slogans “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” on his footwear which led to the ICC’s warning of heavy sanctions if he [Usman Khawaja] were to wear the shoes during the match as it is against the governing body’s rules to display messages related to politics, religion and/or race.

Usman Khawaja Charged for Wearing Black Armband in Test against Pakistan | Baaghi TV

Despite covering the slogans on his footwear, Khawaja appeared for the match with a black band around his left arm. Reports of Khawaja seeking permission for footwear at the MCG were confirmed by The Australian.

On the one hand, Khawaja has argued the ICC’s stance is unfair because the body has previously allowed players to display personal messages on the topics of politics, religion, and/or race. On the other hand, the ICC’s clothing and equipment regulations clearly state: “In determining whether a message is for a ‘political, religious or racial cause’, the starting point is that the ICC and its members acknowledge and agree that cricket should be used as a tool to bring people and communities around the world together and not as a platform to draw attention to potentially divisive political issues, rhetoric or agendas”.

Furthermore, the ICC believes each case must be considered “on its own facts” before the body can take into account “relevant circumstances”.

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Usman Khawaja Charged for Wearing Black Armband in Test against Pakistan | Baaghi TV

In the wake of the criticism garnered by his silent protest, Usman Khawaja took to his social media to say: “If me saying ‘all lives are equal’ has resulted in people being offended to the point where they are calling me up and telling me off, well isn’t that the bigger problem?”

He argued that what he wrote on his shoes was not political and that a Jewish life is equal to a Muslim or Hindu life. The cricketer further said that he was speaking up for people who don’t have a voice: “This is close to my heart. When I see thousands of innocent children dying without any repercussions or remorse, I imagine my two girls. What if this was them?”

Concluding his plea, the Aussie player said that the ICC has asked him not to wear his shoes on the field because they believe it to be a political statement. While disagreeing with their stance, he will “respect their view, and their decision” but he will continue to seek approval. “Freedom is a human right, and all lives are equal”, wrote Khawaja.

All Lives are Equal. Freedom is a Human right. I'm raising my voice for human rights. For a humanitarian appeal. If you see it any other way. That's on you… pic.twitter.com/8eaPnBfUEb
— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) December 13, 2023