Usman Khawaja’s protest move after ICC blocks message on shoes

Usman Khawaja has vowed to fight a ban handed down by the ICC, but it hasn’t stopped him from displaying a message.

Usman Khawaja has delivered a silent protest after being threatened by the ICC ahead of Australia’s First Test against Pakistan.

Khawaja has vowed to fight a ban on him wearing shoes during a match highlighting the plight of people in Gaza, saying it was a “humanitarian appeal” and not a political message.

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During training this week the 36-year-old opening batsman had handwritten slogans “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” on his footwear.

Khawaja, who is Muslim, wanted to wear the shoes for the opening Test starting on Thursday in Perth against Pakistan, his birth country.

But governing body the International Cricket Council bans any messages during matches 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 Thursday with a black armband around his left arm.

Usman Khawaja is wearing a black armband.

The word from the Australian camp is:

“He is wearing it in solidarity and respect per his Insta post yesterday.”

Has tape over the writing on his shoes. @abcsport

— Ben Cameron (@BenCameron23) December 14, 2023

Speaking ahead of the day’s play, Khawaja said it was unfair the governing body has stepped in to stop him from delivering his message.

“I will try to (challenge the ICC) as soon as possible, whenever it is possible,” Khawaja told Channel 7.

“There already has been a precedent set in the past that ICC have allowed. A precedent set where players have done stuff in the past where the ICC hasn’t done anything.

“I find it a bit unfair that they have come down on me at this point in time where there definitely has been precedents in the past of similar things.

“I am a grown man I can do anything I want, but I think the ICC will keep coming down and giving me fines and at some point it will detract from the game.

“I stand by what I said, I will stand by that, I think forever. For me, I need to get out there and concentrate on what I am doing but it is right at the forefront of my mind.”

Usman Khawaja wears a black armband. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

News Corp cricket writer Peter Lalor said 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 elected to wear the black armband after the ban. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

The message on Khawaja’s shoes which the ICC banned. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Khawaja delivered an impassioned plea on his social media channels on Wednesday night 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?

All Lives are Equal. Freedom is a Human right. I'm raising my voice for human rights. For a humanitarian appeal. If you see it any other way. That's on you... pic.twitter.com/8eaPnBfUEb

— Usman Khawaja (@Uz_Khawaja) December 13, 2023

“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.”