Usman Khawaja hits back at cricket bosses after being charged over Palestine protest – and reveals what that black armband was REALLY for
- Star hitter has been charged by the International Cricket Council
- Defiantly defended his actions in Melbourne on Friday
- Khawaja plastered slogans on his boots before the first Test in Perth
Australian opener Usman Khawaja has called for “consistency” from the International Cricket Council after confirming the black armband he wore during the Perth Test was for a “personal loss” and not a political statement.
The 36-year-old Test star confirmed he will not wear boots with handwritten slogans 'Freedom is a human right' and 'All lives are equal' during the Boxing Day Test and responded to a charge from cricket's governing body for not looking was seeking permission to wear the armband against Pakistan.
Khawaja was reprimanded for breaching Clause F of the ICC Dress and Equipment Regulations, with the armband deemed a 'personal message' by the ICC, despite the opening batsman telling officials it was not a political statement.
Khawaja hit back at the International Cricket Council (pictured) on Friday when he accused the governing body of applying a double standard at his planned protest in Perth.
The opening batsman also revealed that the black armband for which the ICC charged him (pictured) was worn to mark a personal bereavement, and not to make a political statement.
At the MCG on Friday morning, Khawaja said he was 'following all the rules' and questioned why he was given a penalty when other players had not due to other incidents.
“I followed all the rules, past precedents, guys put stickers on their bats and names on their shoes,” he said.
'As I said to the ICC, it was a personal grieving process. The bracelet was different from my shoes.
'My shoes are very clear. And in the end I didn't wear the shoes, I changed my mind about the rules and procedures and I left it at that.
“I think from my point of view all I'm asking from the ICC is just consistency.
'I think there have been plenty of people who haven't been allowed to carry things in the past.
Usman Khawaja planned to wear boots emblazoned with the words “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal” during the test in Perth before covering the words with tape
All eyes will be on the star in Tuesday's Boxing Day Test to see if he remains defiant enough to make a statement on the Gaza conflict when he takes the field
“I've been very clear and open about the bracelet, so I'm going to deal with that with the ICC and have those conversations with them.”
Khawaja last week flogged the ICC for censoring him and not allowing him to wear the boots in Perth. Instead, he covered the message with tape and wore the black armband on his left arm for the entire match.
All eyes will be on him when Australia take on Pakistan in the Boxing Day Test on Tuesday to see if he makes a separate statement when he takes the field.
Fans have already been warned not to make their own political statements with banners at the MCG afterwards