Daily Times

A banner bearing the same messages that Usman Khawaja had written on his shoes has been taken down by security during the first Test between Australia and Pakistan at Optus Stadium.

The ICC forbade Khawaja from wearing shoes bearing the inscriptions “all lives are equal” and “freedom is a human right” on the field of play before the match.

The veteran opener had wanted to display the messages in the wake of the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Instead, he has worn a black arm ban and has taped over the writings on his shoes.

The issue resurfaced on Sunday when a patron who had displayed a banner with the same words caught the attention of security.

Measuring more than five metres in length, the banner was hung over the railing on the fifth level at the southern end of the venue.

The patron drew further attention by chanting pro-Palestine slogans, with security quickly furling up the banner and escorting the man out of the stadium. Others people were also escorted out of the stadium.

“A sign was removed because it contravened Cricket Australia’s terms and conditions of entry,” Optus Stadium said in a statement.

“Some patrons were removed because of antisocial behaviour, not because of the sign.”

Last summer, a banner reading “Justice for JL” was taken down by security during Australia’s Test clash with the West Indies at Optus Stadium.

A group of young fans had unfurled the banner in support of Justin Langer, who quit as Australia coach after being offered only a six-month contract extension.

The situation this time around was far more political, given the huge loss of lives in the Middle East.

On the eve of the Test against Pakistan, Khawaja took to social media to explain why he had chosen to speak out about the innocent loss of lives.

“This is close to my heart,” Khawaja said on social media.

“When I see thousands of innocent children dying without any repercussions or remorse, I imagine my two girls. What if this was them? No one chooses where they’re born.”

Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive Todd Greenberg said Khawaja had handled the controversy over his shoes in a professional and mature manner.

He said the ACA would support Khawaja’s bid to gain ICC approval to wear the shoes in future matches.

“I get a sense that some people in broader society like to see athletes and profile people provide opinions, but only when those opinions agree with them,” Greenberg told SEN.

“I think it’s much better to see people who are authentic, like Uzzie is.

“If he wants to push a particular cause, then we’ll support him. “We want our athletes to be heroes. We want people to look up to them.

“And to do that, we need them to be authentic and we need them to be that regularly and consistently, not just on the simple issues, but maybe more importantly on the more difficult ones.”