The Australia batter failed to obtain "prior approval of Cricket Australia and the ICC" to wear a black armband during the first Test against Pakistan in Perth and faces a fine if he repeats the gesture during the Boxing Day meeting
Australia's Usman Khawaja has been charged by the ICC for wearing a black armband in support of the people of Gaza during the first Test against Pakistan in Perth.
Initially in line for a reprimand for breaching clothing and equipment regulations, the 37-year-old could face a fine of 25 per cent of his match fee if the gesture is repeated during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
As many as 20,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been reported killed since Israel began their response following Hamas' attacks on October 7.
Khawaja had been deterred by the ICC from wearing shoes emblazoned with the messages "all lives are equal" and "freedom is a human right" which had caught attention in the days leading up to the match.
Khawaja was blocked was wearing shoes with supportive messages in Perth (Paul Kane/Getty Images)
He added in a statement explaining the decision that he was committed to a "humanitarian appeal" and would "fight" the governing body
Captain Pat Cummins and Cricket Australia have openly supported the opening batter's position, while federal sport minister Anika Wells said Khawaja, who is Muslim, has "every right to speak up on matters that are important to him".
Confirming the decision, an ICC spokesperson said: "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."
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