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Moeen Ali has been banned from wearing his “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine” wristbands and will face punishment if he does so again in international cricket.
Moeen caused controversy yesterday when he was photographed wearing the bands, which drew attention to the current conflict in the Middle East, which has led to the deaths of more than 1,000 Palestinians and at least 40 Israelis.
The England and Wales Cricket Board were happy for Moeen to continue to express his views via the bands but the International Cricket Council have taken a different view. Moeen was told last night by match referee David Boon to remove the wristband and never to wear them again when playing for England.
An ICC spokesman 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.”
England do not believe that Moeen has done anything wrong and have argued that his messages were humanitarian rather than political. The Worcestershire all-rounder had been pictured raising money for the Gaza relief efforts in his home city of Birmingham last week.
Ajmal Shahzad, the Nottinghamshire fast bowler who played a single Test for England in 2010, expressed his support for Moeen via Twitter. “Absolutely love this! Well done Moeen bro! Keep showing your support! #PrayforGaza”.
Players will be today wear shirts bearing the logo of veterans' charity Help for Heroes, a picture posted on Twitter by fast bowler Stuart Broad confirmed.
