Australian cricket player Usman Khawaja expressed his intention to fight against a ruling by the International Cricket Council (ICC) that did not allow him to show personalized messages on his footwear referencing middle east conflict. During practice on Dec. 12, Mr. Khawaja was training in boots with messages including “All lives are equal,” and “Freedom is a human right,” referring to the Israel-Hamas conflict. However, he was warned by the ICC about such messages, threatening heavy sanctions if he broke the rules.
In a statement said on Dec. 13, Khawaja expressed the importance of his message, saying that the phrases he was displaying on his shoes were not political. He defended those who don’t have a proper voice, and expressed his concerns about people dying in disputes without repercussion.
Before the first Test in Perth against Pakistan on Dec. 14, Khawaja expressed his annoyance and disappointment with the ruling, reminding that on other occasions players had worn religious and political messages and had not been reprimanded.
Meanwhile, Federal Sports Minister Anika Wells has backed Mr. Khawaja, stating that the message was respectful and did not compromise the team’s obligation to the ICC. Khawaja’s message was in reference to the Israel-Hamas conflict, and he had been public before about his concerns over the matter.