Usman Khawaja Charged By ICC For Sporting Black Arm Band II AUS vs PAK 1st Test - Report

Australian opener Usman Khawaja has reportedly been reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaking regulations by sporting a black arm band during the first Test against Pakistan at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

Khawaja, who wasn't allowed to wear the shoes with the message "all lives are equal" and "freedom is a human right" in order to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, sported a black arm band in the AUS vs PAK 1st Test last week.

Though black armbands are regularly worn by players to mourn the deaths of former players, family members or other significant individuals, one needs permission from the national board and the ICC before they wear one onfield.

According a report by ESPNCricinfo on Thursday (December 21), Khawaja has been charged by the ICC for breaking regulations by wearing a black armband during the first Test against Pakistan at Perth without any prior approval.

"Usman Khawaja has been charged for breaching Clause F of the Clothing and Equipment Regulations," an ICC spokesperson was quoted as saying to ESPNcricinfo.

"Usman displayed a personal message (armband) during the first Test Match against Pakistan without seeking the prior approval of Cricket Australia and the ICC to display it, as required in the regulations for personal messages. This is a breach under the category of an 'other breach' and the sanction for a first offence is a reprimand," added the spokesperson.

While the sanction is yet to be confirmed, Khawaja is unlikely to be suspended if it came to pass as even a fourth such sanction in a year would only result in a penalty of 75 per cent of the match fee rather than a suspension.

The charge means Khawaja can accept a warning and continue to play. However, he faces additional sanctions if he wears the armband again in the second test against Pakistan.

On Friday (December 22), during training at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Khawaja said the black armband was for a "personal bereavement." The Australian opener said he will contest the charge but will not wear the armband during the Melbourne test.

"I respect what the ICC (says) and the rules and regulations they have," Khawaja said. "I will be asking them and contesting they make it fair and equitable for everyone and they have consistency in how they officiate. That consistency hasn't been done yet."

The 37-year-old Khawaja had worn shoes with the slogans "freedom is a human right" and "all lives are equal" at training in the days before the first test in Perth, with the writing in red, green and black - the colors of the Palestinian flag.

Khawaja has received support from Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who said the "all lives are equal" message was uncontroversial and not intended as a political statement.

"I think Usman Khawaja is a great Australian cricketer and that the position that he put forward is . . . pretty uncontroversial, one that all lives are equal' is a sentiment that I think is uncontroversial," Albanese said.

"Usman Khawaja made his position clear, which is he didn't see it as a political statement." Australia won the first test by 360 runs inside four days. The third test is scheduled to begin Jan. 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

All eyes will be on Khawaja and if he will continue wearing the black armband in the next Test match on Boxing Day, starting December 26 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) in Melboure.