Usman Khawaja vows to 'fight' ICC rule against Palestine message on shoes in passionate video message
Usman Khawaja vows to 'fight' ICC rule against Palestine message on shoes in passionate video message
Usman Khawaja is ready to “fight” against International Cricket Council (ICC) guidelines that prohibit him from displaying messages in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza. Khawaja was seen wearing shoes carrying slogans “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” in support of Palestinian people during Australia’s training session on Tuesday ahead of the Perth Test against Pakistan. The batter also confirmed to local media that he intended to wear the shoes carrying the slogans during the match, but on Wednesday Australia captain Pat Cummins revealed that Khawaja “won’t be” wearing those shoes.
As per ICC rules, players are not allowed to display personal messages on the field. Match officials can also stop a player from taking the field if they don’t comply with ICC regulations.
The Australia opening batter on Wednesday published a video on Instagram explaining his side of the story. He said what he wrote on his shoes “wasn’t political” and he is “just speaking up for those who don’t have a voice”.
Usman Khawaja might be stopped from taking the field on Day 1 of the Perth Test unless he removes the pro Palestine slogan from his shoes.
Cricket Australia has supported Khawaja, but ICC prohibits the display of personal messages. (The Age). pic.twitter.com/JYRd3aBfJt
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 13, 2023
In the long emotional video, Khawaja added that he is ready to “fight” ICC regulations and “seek to gain approval” for sporting the messages.
“I’ve noticed what I’ve written on my shoes has caused a little bit of a stir. I won’t say much, I don’t need to. But what I do want is for everyone who did get offended, somehow, is to ask yourself these questions,” he said in a video posted on Instagram.
“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 as a resulted people being offended, to the point where they’re calling me up, and telling me, well isn’t that the bigger problem?
“These people obviously don’t believe in what I’ve written. 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 imagined 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 equality was life or death.
“The ICC have told me that I can’t wear my shoes on 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 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,” said Khawaja.
Despite Cummins confirming that Khawaja won’t be wearing the shoes carrying the slogans, Khawaja’s latest video has cast doubt over his participation in the Perth Test.
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