Gaza war: ICC turns down Usman Khawaja’s appeal against ‘armband’ prohibition

Despite putting up a stern principle stand over his personal reasons to wear a black armband, Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja’s appeal against the sanctioning of his gesture has been rejected by the International Cricket Council (ICC), Fox Cricket reported.

With his appeal struck down, the cricketing body’s reprimand — over his violation of ICC’s rules and regulations — will remain intact.

Pakistani-origin opener had worn a black armband during the Perth Test against Pakistan to reflect his "personal bereavement" over the loss of precious lives,  in the ongoing Israel-Gaza war — a move which led to him being charged with a violation of the ICC’s code of Conduct.

More than 23,000 Palestinians have been killed, with children contributing to a significant portion of total casualties, since Israel began its assault on the besieged territory.

“[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,” an ICC spokesperson had said.

“[He] 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,” the regulatory body’s spokesperson added.

Khawaja was initially looking to wear shoes with the slogans “All lives are equal” and “freedom is a human right” on them, but this was rejected before he could execute his plans.

The opener had complained about “double standards” from the ICC over the decision.

“They [ICC] asked me on day two what it was for and [I] told them it was for a personal bereavement,” Khawaja said in December.

“I never ever stated it was for anything else. The shoes were a different matter, I’m happy to say that. The armband makes no sense to me.

“I followed all the regulations, past precedents, guys that put stickers on their bats, names on their shoes, done all sorts of things in the past without ICC approval and never been reprimanded. I respect the ICC and the rules and regulations they have.

“I will be asking them and contesting they make it fair and equitable for everyone and they have consistency in how they officiate. That consistency hasn’t been done yet.”

Khawaja has been permitted by Cricket Australia to wear an image of a dove with an olive branch if he plays in the BBL this season.