Cricketer in hot water over Gaza protest
Player who wore ‘Free Palestine’ and ‘Save Gaza’ bracelets unlikely to face punishment from England, but might face league censure
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SOUTHAMPTON, England (AP) — Allrounder Moeen Ali is unlikely to face punishment from the England and Wales Cricket Board after being photographed wearing wristbands saying “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine” while batting for England in the third test against India on Monday.
The ECB told The Associated Press it did not believe Moeen had committed any offence, while adding that it did not know he was going to wear the wristbands on day two of the match.
But the 27-year-old Moeen, who was out for 12, could still be in trouble from cricket’s governing body ICC whose regulations do not allow players to display political, religious or racial statements on their clothing and equipment while taking part in international matches.
Azizulhasni Awang, a Malaysian cyclist competing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, was reprimanded by his team last week for wearing gloves saying “Save Gaza” and warned he would be expelled if he did it again.
Israel launched its military operation against Gaza’s Hamas rulers three weeks ago, saying it wants to decimate Hamas’ ability to fire rockets at Israel. More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed since then, according to Hamas figures, with Israel losing 43 soldiers and two civilians, as well as a Thai worker.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.
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