Usman Khawaja to contest ICC armband fee, says it was once for a bereavement

Australia batter wore the armband during the primary Take a look at in Perth however may not proceed to take action in MelbourneAndrew McGlashan21-Dec-2023 • Up to date 2 hrs in the pastUsman Khawaja together with his black armband in Perth  Getty ImagesUsman Khawaja will problem his ICC fee for dressed in a clean armband all through the primary Take a look at in opposition to Pakistan in Perth having informed the governing frame it was once for a “non-public bereavement” however added that he may not proceed to put on one within the MCG Take a look at which begins on Boxing Day.Khawaja wore the armband having to begin with deliberate to take the sector with writing on his footwear which he had worn in coaching declaring “all lives are equivalent” and “freedom is a human proper” to lift consciousness of the humanitarian disaster in Gaza.Black armbands are a normal sight in world cricket to mark deaths of former avid gamers, members of the family or different important folks, however they want permission from the nationwide board and the ICC.Talking on the MCG on Friday, Khawaja mentioned that he didn’t imagine ICC have been enforcing their very own laws persistently.”They requested me on day two [in Perth] what it was once for and informed them it was once for a non-public bereavement,” he mentioned of the armband. “I by no means ever mentioned it was once for anything. The footwear have been a special topic, I am glad to mention that. The armband is unnecessary to me. I adopted all of the laws, previous precedents, guys that put stickers on their bats, names on their footwear, completed all types of issues previously with out ICC approval and not been reprimanded.”I appreciate the ICC and the principles and laws they have got. I will be able to be asking them and contesting they make it honest and equitable for everybody and they have got consistency in how they officiate. That consistency hasn’t been completed but. I used to be very open and fair with that. I will handle that with the ICC.”There was once no reliable commentary when Khawaja wore the armband at the first day in Perth, however on the time it was once understood to be relating to the video he’d posted on social media after being informed he may now not display the messages on his footwear.Nick Hockley, the Cricket Australia CEO, showed the board was once having ongoing discussions with ICC about whether or not there was once some way that Khawaja may proportion his message even though it stay unsure whether or not a conclusion to these talks can be reached in time for the Boxing Day Take a look at.Underneath the extent that Khawaja has been charged with, a reprimand is essentially the most critical punishment so if that did eventuate it could now not go away him in any doubt for the Boxing Day Take a look at in opposition to Pakistan. Even a fourth such sanction in a 12-month duration would most effective be a penalty of 75% of the fit rate relatively than a suspension.”Usman Khawaja has been charged for breaching Clause F of the Clothes and Apparatus Rules,” an ICC spokesperson informed ESPNcricinfo. “Usman displayed a non-public message (arm band) all through the primary Take a look at Fit in opposition to Pakistan with out searching for the prior approval of Cricket Australia and the ICC to show it, as required within the laws for private messages. This can be a breach below the class of an ‘different breach’ and the sanction for a primary offence is a reprimand.”The ICC’s clothes and gear laws state: “Avid gamers and staff officers shall now not be accepted to put on, show or in a different way put across non-public messages on their clothes, apparatus or in a different way, without reference to whether or not such messages are affixed to clothes, apparatus or in a different way and whether or not such messages are displayed or conveyed thru the usage of the particular clothes or different pieces (eg. an arm band) or by way of phrases, image, graphic message, pictures or in a different way (‘non-public messages’), except licensed prematurely by way of each the participant or staff reliable’s board and the ICC Cricket Operations Division. Approval shall now not be granted for messages which relate to political, spiritual or racial actions or reasons.”Khawaja reiterated what he mentioned in his video earlier than the Perth Take a look at, that he was once now not taking a political stance and was once as an alternative seeking to deliver consciousness to the struggling.”I would not have any agendas rather then to polish a mild on what I think very passionate and powerful about,” he mentioned. “I am seeking to do it in essentially the most respectful means conceivable. What I wrote on my footwear, I thought of it for some time. I made positive I did not wish to segregate other portions of the inhabitants, spiritual ideals and neighborhood. I sought after it to be in point of fact extensive as a result of I am talking about humanitarian problems. I am speaking about article one within the unified declaration of human rights. The rationale I am doing this is because it hit me laborious.”I informed Nick that once I am having a look at my Instagram and seeing blameless children, movies of them death, passing away, that is what hit me the toughest. I simply believe my younger daughter in my fingers and the similar factor. I am getting emotional speaking about it once more. I would not have any hidden agendas.”If anything else this brings up extra negativity against me…I do not get anything else out of this. I simply really feel find it irresistible’s my duty to talk up in this. We are living in this type of gorgeous nation. I am blessed to are living in Australia. I will stroll outdoor, would not have to fret a few factor. My children can do the similar. I simply need that for the remainder of the arena.”Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo

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