The Australian batsman wore the armband during the first Test in Perth but will no longer do so in Melbourne
Andrew McGlashan12/21/2023 • Updated 2 hours ago
Usman Khawaja with his black armband in Perth Getty Images
Usman Khawaja will challenge his ICC charge for wearing an empty armband during the first Test against Pakistan in Perth. He told the governing body it was a “personal bereavement” but added he would not wear another armband when the MCG test began on Boxing Day.
Khawaja wore the armband after initially planning to enter the field. The shoes he wore in training bore the words “All lives are equal” and “Freedom is a human right” to draw attention to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Black armbands are a common sight in international cricket to mark the deaths of former players, family members or other significant others. However, they require the approval of the National Executive Board and the ICC.
Speaking at the MCG on Friday, Khawaja said he did not believe the ICC was consistently implementing its own rules.
“You asked me on the second day [in Perth] “What it was for and told them it was for a personal bereavement,” he said of the armband. “I never said it was for anything else.” With the shoes it was something different, I’m happy to say that. The armband doesn't make sense to me. I have followed all the rules, previous precedents, people putting stickers on their rackets and names on their shoes, done everything under the sun without ICC approval in the past and have never been reprimanded.
“I respect the ICC and the rules and regulations it has. I will ask and challenge them to ensure that it is fair and equal for all and that they have unified governance. This consistency has not yet been achieved. I was very open.” And honest. I will clear this up with the ICC.”
There was no official explanation when Khawaja wore the armband on the first day in Perth, but at the time it was believed to be in connection with the video he posted on social media after being told he was wearing the Not allowed to show messages on his shoes.
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley confirmed the board was in ongoing discussions with the ICC about whether there was a way for Khawaja to get his message across, although it remained uncertain whether those discussions would be completed in time for the Boxing Day Test would.
At the level Khawaja is charged with, a reprimand is the most severe punishment. So if there is such a penalty, it would not leave him in doubt for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan. Even a fourth such sanction within a 12-month period would only be a penalty of 75% of the match fee and not a ban.
“Usman Khawaja has been charged with violating Section F of the Dress and Equipment Regulations,” an ICC spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo. “Usman displayed a personal message (armband) during the first Test match against Pakistan without obtaining prior permission from Cricket Australia and the ICC to display it, as required by the personal message regulations. This is an offense within the meaning of an “other offense” and the sanction for the first offense is a reprimand.”
The ICC's Clothing and Equipment Regulations state: “Players and team officials are not permitted to wear, display or otherwise transmit personal messages on their clothing, equipment or otherwise, regardless of whether such messages are on clothing , equipment or otherwise and whether such messages are appropriate.” Messages are communicated through the use of certain items of clothing or other items (e.g. a bracelet) or through the use of words, symbols, graphic messages, images or others displayed or transmitted in any manner (“Personal Messages”) unless agreed in advance by both the player’s or team official’s board and the ICC’s Cricket Operations Department. Permission will not be granted for messages that relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes.”
Khawaja reiterated what he said in his video before the Perth Test that he was not taking a political stance and was instead trying to raise awareness of the suffering.
“I have no intention of doing anything other than highlighting what I feel great passion and strength for,” he said. “I try to make it as respectful as possible. I thought about what I wrote on my shoes for a while. I made sure that I didn't want to exclude different parts of the population, religious beliefs and community.” . I wanted it to be very broad because I'm talking about humanitarian issues. I'm talking about article one in the Single Declaration of Human Rights. The reason I do it is because it hit me hard.
“I told Nick that what hits me the hardest is when I look at my Instagram and see innocent children, videos of them dying and dying. I just imagine my little daughter in my arms and the same thing. I get emotional.” I talk about it again. I have no hidden intentions.
“If anything, it triggers more negativity in me… I can't get anything out of it. I just feel like it's my responsibility to speak out on this issue. We live in such a beautiful country. I am lucky to live in Australia.” . I can go outside and not have to worry about anything. My children can do the same. I just want this for the rest of the world.”
Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo