Learn about Usman Khawaja's protest for Gaza

The drama between Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja and the International Cricket Council (ICC) has taken center stage in the sporting world this month.

Khawaja said the inscription on his shoe is a call for respect for human rights in the Gaza Strip and a protest against the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The ICC has repeatedly rejected Khawaja's pleas, citing his code of conduct, which forbids him from openly wearing modified kit while playing, including wearing a black armband during the first Test in Perth. Ta. I was reprimanded.

Khawaja accused the ICC of double standards, citing other players who had no problem leaving marks on equipment or bats.

While many in the cricket world support Khawaja's continued attacks on the ICC, including former and current team-mates, some say it is unfair for the player to represent his country. . As time passes, such statements should be removed from the scene.

How did it all start?

Before the first Test against Pakistan in Perth in early December, Khawaja and his teammates wore boots in the color of the Palestinian flag with the slogans "All life is equal" and "Freedom is a human right". She was seen exercising with it.

His plans to wear football cleats in matches were rejected by the ICC. In a December 13 post to X, Khawaja uploaded a video post explaining his thoughts. He said his remarks were a "humanitarian appeal", not political, and that he was not taking sides with anyone.

"It doesn't matter what race, religion or culture ... human life is the same to me," he said.

https://x.com/uz_khawaja/status/1734830493890404372?s=46

The video has now been viewed more than 5 million times and caused a stir online.

Khawaja's teammates have spoken out on his behalf, with Test vice-captain Travis Head expressing support on social media and captain Pat Cummings telling the media that Khawaja "stands up for what he believes in. "I'm respected for standing up for myself." I'm proud of Uzi. ”

Although Khawaja eventually entered the field with chants taped to his boots, he wore a black armband during the second half of the Test against Pakistan on December 14, for which he received formal reprimand from the ICC.

Khawaja said that while he respected the ICC's rules, he disputed this claim and insisted on "consistency" in the governing body's application of the rules.

“I would ask and challenge them to make it fair and just for everyone and to take a consistent approach,” he said. “This consistency hasn’t happened yet.”

Before the Boxing Day Test, Khawaja had planned to wear a peace symbol (a flag quoting Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) on his boots and bat, but this was also rejected by the ICC.

In an Instagram post on Christmas Day, Khawaja criticized the organization's "double standards" with a video highlighting the rules and regulations and a photo of other cricketers holding bats. But there are sports symbols.

Cummins once again defended Khwaja, telling the media that there was no difference between his teammate's "Pretty Vanilla" dove symbol and the eagle and Bible verse on Marnes Løvsgen's stick.

Since then, Khawaja has been seen writing her daughters' names on her shoes.

What does the ICC say?

The ICC's code of conduct is similar to FIFA's and prohibits players from displaying political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images unless approved by the organisation.

When Khawaja was fined for wearing a black armband, authorities said he "received a private message (armband) without prior approval from Cricket Australia and the ICC during the first Test against Pakistan". - announced. This was done according to the rules of private messages. "

"This is a violation that falls under the category of 'second violation,' and the sanction for the first violation is a reprimand."

Khawaja said the armband was not a political symbol, but a representation of "personal grief."

https://x.com/uz_khawaja/status/1736680713657999851?s=46

As the controversy continues, Khawaja and his supporters point to other instances where players have had no problem voicing their opinions.

West Indies players were allowed to wear the Black Lives Matter logo on their jerseys during the 2020 Test series against England.

However, the ICC has banned slogans before. In 2014, England's Moeen Ali was suspended for a game against India for wearing a bracelet that read ``Save Gaza'' and ``free Palestine.''