ICC bans Moeen Ali from wearing wristbands with 'Save Gaza' and 'Free Palestine' slogans

July 30, 2014

moeen ali

Southampton, Jul 30: The ICC have banned Moeen Ali from wearing wristbands saying Save Gaza' and Free Palestine'.

The investigation by international cricket's governing body came after Moeen was pictured wearing the wristbands while batting during on the second day of England's third Test against India.

The match referee David Boon banned the batsman from wearing the wristband and an ICC statement said: 'The ICC Equipment and Clothing Regulations do not permit the display of messages that relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes during an international match.

'Moeen Ali was told by the Match Referee that whilst he is free to express his views on such causes away from the cricket field, he is not permitted to wear the wristbands on the field of play and warned not to wear the bands again during an international match.'

Moeen could be fined up 50 per cent of his match fee for a level one contravention if the ICC deem he has breached regulations.

The ICC code reads: Players and team officials shall not be permitted to wear, display or otherwise convey messages through arm bands or other items affixed to clothing or equipment unless approved in advance by the player or team official's Board.

'Approval shall not be granted for messages which relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes.'

The ECB confirmed on Monday night that Ali had not asked their permission, although a spokesman said: We do not believe Moeen has committed an offence.'

England's players will on Tuesday wear Help for Heroes' charity logos on their shirt collars in support of the wounded service charity, while there will be a minute's silence observed at 10.56am in memory of the 100 year anniversary of the start of World War I.

England cricketer Moeen Ali risked disciplinary action after the International Cricket Council (ICC) said they were "investigating" his decision to wear wristbands in support of Gaza during the third Test match against India on Monday.

An ICC spokesman told AFP: "We're investigating and will report in due course."

Meanwhile an England and Wales Cricket Board spokesman told reporters at Southampton that, "as far as we are concerned, he has not committed any offence," adding it was up to the ICC to decide what action, if any, Ali should face. The ICC regulations prohibit players from displaying political, religious or racial statements on their clothing and equipment while taking part in international matches.

The 27-year-old Ali, a practising Muslim of Pakistani descent, was photographed earlier this week helping raise funds for Gaza relief efforts in his home city of Birmingham in central England. The Worcestershire all-rounder's wristbands were only on public display for 42 minutes while he made 12 runs off 28 balls before he was caught off India seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

On Friday, Malaysian cyclist Azizulhasni Awang was warned he risked being thrown out of the Commonwealth Games if he repeated wearing gloves bearing the message "Save Gaza". Awang could have been ejected from the 2014 Glasgow Games after wearing the gloves in competition on Thursday.

Instead the 26-year-old was given a reprimand and warned not to wear them again. The Commonwealth Games Federation seeks to avoid its competitions being used for political means. Though Awang insisted his message was "humanitarian" rather than politically-charged, he issued an apology.

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