During the fourth day of the Australia vs. Pakistan Test at Perth Stadium, spectators were ejected for exhibiting a banner that mirrored the messages on Usman Khawaja’s shoes.
During the fourth day of the Australia vs. Pakistan Test, some spectators were reportedly removed from Perth Stadium for displaying a banner mirroring the messages Usman Khawaja intended to showcase on his shoes. Khawaja aimed to display “All Lives are equal” and “Freedom is a human right” in solidarity with the Israel-Palestine conflict victims, but the ICC disallowed it under clothing rules barring political or religious statements. Consequently, a spectator’s banner conveyed the same message, leading to their eviction, aligning with Khawaja’s intention to show support through his footwear.
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During this year’s ICC Cricket World Cup final in Ahmedabad, a spectator breached security and entered the field wearing a T-shirt in support of Palestine, resulting in his arrest. Australia’s skipper Pat Cummins expressed his backing for Khawaja, noting that the message on his shoes, “All lives are equal,” was not divisive and deserved support.
“I think it’s one of our strongest points in our team is that everyone has their own passionate views and individual thoughts and I chatted to Uzzie briefly about it today. And I don’t think his intention is to make too big of a fuss, but we support him. I think what was on the shoes, ‘All lives are equal’, I support that,” Cummins had said to the media.
Earlier, Khawaja himself had stated that while he stands by his beliefs, continual fines from the ICC might distract from the game. He emphasized that the matter remains important to him but also acknowledged the need to focus on his cricket.
READ MORE | Usman Khawaja’s Statement: Black Armband Worn as Tribute Amidst Slogan Dispute
Last Updated on December 17, 2023
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