The Australia batter Usman Khawaja has been charged by the International Cricket Council for wearing a black armband in the first Test against Pakistan, in support of people in Gaza.
ICC regulations bar cricketers from displaying messages of political, religious or racial causes during international matches, although Khawaja has argued his is a “humanitarian appeal”.
The charge means Khawaja can accept a warning and continue to play. However, he faces additional sanctions if he wears the armband again in the Boxing Day Test, traditionally the most anticipated day in the Australian cricket calendar.
An ICC spokesperson confirmed the charge in breach of the clothing and equipment regulations on Thursday. “Usman displayed a personal message [armband] during the first 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,” they said. “This is a breach under the category of an ‘other breach’ and the sanction for a first offence is a reprimand.”
The 37-year-old had worn shoes with the slogans “freedom is a human right” and “all lives are equal” at training in the days before the first Test against Pakistan in Perth, with the writing in red, green and black – the colours of the Palestinian flag.
After feverish media interest, Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, said in his pre-match press conference that Khawaja had his support but that the opener had chosen not to wear the shoes for the match. “Uzzie doesn’t want to make too big of a fuss,” he said at the time.
Tom Curran's four-match ban for intimidating umpire
England’s Tom Curran has been banned for four games in Australia’s Big Bash League after being charged with intimidating an umpire.
Curran and his club, the Sydney Sixers, denied the offence and plan to appeal against the suspension.
The incident occurred on 11 December, when Curran was warming up before a game against Hobart Hurricanes in Launceston.
Cricket Australia’s code of conduct commissioner Adrian Anderson found that the 28-year-old, who last played for England in 2021, became involved in a disagreement with an umpire while going through his run-up.
The match official instructed Curran not to run on the pitch and stood next to the stumps to block his approach after he attempted to continue.
Anderson found that Curran “attempted to perform a practice run-up and run at pace straight towards the umpire, who stood in the bowling crease facing Curran. The umpire stepped to his right to avoid the risk of collision.”
Australian broadcaster Channel 7 later posted footage on X, formerly known as Twitter, which showed the umpire advising Curran he could not use the match surface for warm-ups and Curran bounding towards him before both men moved to avert impact. That was deemed a level three offence under clause 2.17 of the CA code – which covers “intimidation or attempted intimidation of an umpire or match referee” – leading to four penalty points and a four-game ban. PA Media
Khawaja responded with a long video message on social media reiterating his support for people in Gaza, and pledging to continue what he described as a “humanitarian appeal”. “The ICC have told me that I can’t wear my shoes on field, because they believe it’s a political statement under their guidelines. I don’t believe it is,” he said. “I will respect their view and decision but I will fight it and seek to gain approval.”
Khawaja’s right to express his views was supported by the Australian sport minister, Anika Wells. He subsequently covered over the writing on his shoes with tape, but wore a black armband on the field in Perth.
ICC regulations appear to allow Khawaja to challenge the charge, but they leave little scope for argument.
The clothing and equipment regulations state the wearing of armbands must be approved by both Cricket Australia and the ICC, but will ultimately be a decision for the ICC: “Approval shall not be granted for messages which relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes. The ICC shall have the final say in determining whether any such message is approved.”
A second offence would attract a fine of 25% of Khawaja’s match fee. The ICC requires Khawaja to lodge his response to the charge within seven days. He is due to speak in Melbourne at the launch of Cricket Australia’s multicultural action plan on Friday.
