Usman Khawaja is again on a collision course with cricket’s governing body over his sly armband protest during the First Test.
The opening batsman wore a black armband during Australia’s 360-run victory in Perth after the ICC on the eve of the Test moved to ban his premeditated shoe protest.
Khawaja last week lashed the ICC for censoring him and doubled down on his promise to continue to promote messages of support for civilians in Gaza.
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The 36-year-old had handwritten slogans “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” on his footwear.
He was warned by the ICC that he faced heavy sanctions if he wore those shoes during the match — given the governing body has rules in place that prohibit the display of personal messages that relate to politics, religion or race.
While the message on his shoes was covered over with tape, Khawaja strolled out to the crease on the opening day of the Test with a black armband around his left arm.
It was noted by reporters last week that there has been a previous case of players being found to have been in breach of ICC rules as a result of wearing black armbands that were not approved by the governing body.
News Corp now reports Khawaja’s armband was not approved by the ICC.
All players must first get permission from their home cricket board and the ICC before wearing armbands — or risk being found in breach of ICC rules.
The report shows that, if sanctioned, Khawaja would likely only receive an official reprimand and is not expected to face any further punishment.
It sets the scene for fireworks to erupt should Khawaja continue to wear a black armband during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
Khawaja said it was unfair the governing body stepped in to stop him from delivering his message.
He pointed out inconsistencies in the ICC’s rulings where some players have previously been approved to show personal messages that surrounded topics of politics, religion or race.
The ICC’s clothing and equipment regulations state that: “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.
“Each case must be considered on its own facts and the ICC will take into account all relevant circumstances, including (as it sees fit): (a) the views of any other relevant team or individual; (b) the likely sentiment and response in the media to the message in all relevant countries; (c) whether the message is a ‘one-off’ or whether it is to be displayed for a longer period; (d) the purpose and impact of conveying the message,” the regulations continue.
“By way of example only, and without limitation, where the purpose of a message appears to be commemorative in nature (e.g. the use of a black armband or a poppy) or to serve a charitable purpose (e.g. to generate funds or awareness for a non-political charitable cause), it is more likely to be permitted; where a message appears to indicate support for a particular government, political party or individual, it is more likely to be prohibited. Where a request for approval is submitted to the ICC, the ICC shall be entitled to request such further information as it considers necessary before making its decision and to impose such conditions as it sees fit in providing its approval (as applicable).”
News Corp cricket writer Peter Lalor forecast last week that Khawaja could still be penalised by the ICC, but that was unlikely.
“The custom with a black armband is if you have a personal bereavement,” Lalor said on Channel 7.
“Usman Khawaja hasn’t had a personal bereavement. We’re waiting to see what the ICC say here. There is precedent on this topic.
“In 2003, Henry Olonga and Andy Flower both wore black armbands during the World Cup. It was a protest about what was happening in Zimbabwe with the government. They were ruled to be in breach of the regulations by wearing those armbands, but Malcolm Speed was in charge then.
“He was a sensible fellow and said, ‘You’re in breach but we’re not going to do anything about it’.
“I would hope that that’s the situation here. It would seem to be overreach to me to discipline him for wearing that armband.
Khawaja last week delivered an impassioned plea on his social media channels after the messaging on his shoes caused a stir among fans.
“I’ve noticed what I’ve written on my shoes has caused a little bit of a stir,” Khawaja began.
“I won’t say much, I don’t need to. But what I do want is for everyone who did get offended is to ask yourself these questions: ‘Is freedom not for everyone? Are all lives not equal?
“To me personally it doesn’t matter what race, religion or culture you are.
“Let’s be honest about it. 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?
“These people obviously don’t believe in what I’ve written. And it’s not just a handful of people. You’d be shocked about how many feel this way.
“What I’ve written on my shoes isn’t political. I’m not taking sides. Human life to me is equal. One Jewish life is equal to one Muslim life is equal to one Hindu life, and so on.
“I’m just speaking up for those 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?
“No one chooses where they’re born. And then I see the world turn their backs on them. My heart can’t take it. I already feel my life wasn’t equal to others when I was growing up. But luckily for me, I never lived in a world where that lack of inequality was life or death.
“The ICC have told me that I can’t wear my shoes on the field because they believe it’s a political statement under their guidelines. I don’t believe it is so. It’s a humanitarian appeal. I will respect their view, and their decision but I will fight it and seek to gain approval. Freedom is a human right, and all lives are equal. I will never stop believing that, whether you agree with me or not.”
