Cricket Australia’s Usman Khawaja has been reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for his armband protest during the First Test, setting the stage for a potential controversy ahead of the Boxing Day Test.
Preceding Shoe Protest Spurs Armband Action
The opening batsman had faced criticism from the ICC before the Test for his premeditated shoe protest. Khawaja had handwritten slogans, “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal,” on his footwear. Despite warnings, he wore a black armband during the Test, leading to a reprimand for violating ICC rules.
Khawaja’s breach of the Clothing and Equipment Regulations resulted in a reprimand, but it raises questions about his stance in the upcoming Boxing Day Test at the MCG. The controversy stems from the ICC’s regulations prohibiting personal messages related to politics, religion, or race without prior approval.
An ICC spokesperson stated, “Usman displayed a personal message (armband) 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. This is a breach under the category of an ‘other breach,’ and the sanction for a first offence is a reprimand.”
Khawaja’s Critique of ICC Intervention
Khawaja expressed his displeasure with the ICC’s intervention, deeming it unfair. He pointed out inconsistencies in the ICC’s rulings, citing instances where players were allowed to display personal messages. The ICC regulations emphasize using cricket as a tool for unity and discourage divisive political issues.
The ICC’s clothing and equipment regulations address messages for “political, religious, or racial causes.” Each case is assessed based on various factors, including sentiment, purpose, and impact. Khawaja’s armband protest, if continued, may lead to further sanctions, creating a potential standoff between the player and the cricket governing body.
Despite the reprimand, Khawaja’s commitment to promoting messages of support for civilians in Gaza raises the prospect of further ICC action. The situation mirrors past instances, such as the 2003 World Cup, where players faced breaches for wearing black armbands as a form of protest.
