England cricketer Moeen Ali has been warned by world cricket chiefs not to wear wristbands declaring his support for the people of Gaza again during international matches. But the International Cricket Council (ICC) said Ali would face no disciplinary action on this occasion after being warned about his future conduct by match referee David Boon.
Worcestershire all-rounder Ali wore wristbands during the third Test match against India on Monday that read “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine”, while batting during England’s first innings at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
The 27-year-old Ali, a Birmingham-born practising Muslim of Pakistani descent, was photographed recently helping raise funds for Gaza relief efforts in his home city in central England.
Ali’s wristbands were only on public display for 42 minutes on Monday while he made 12 runs off 28 balls before he was caught off India seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
On Monday, the England and Wales Cricket Board insisted they had no issues with Ali’s conduct.
“As far as we are concerned, he has not committed any offence,” an ECB spokesman said, adding it was up to the ICC to decide what action, if any, Ali should face.
Meanwhile, other cricketers expressed their support of Ali on Twitter.
“Absolutely love this! Well done Moeen bro! Keep showing your support! #Pray4Gaza” wrote former England cricketer Ajmal Shahzad.
“Good on brother mo! #prayforGaza” wrote Lancashire and former England bowler Kabir Ali, Moeen’s cousin.
“We have always worn wristbands or ribbons when showing support 4 an incident or raising awareness,we do it for animal rights too, y not humans,” wrote former Pakistan all-rounder Azhar Mahmood.
Before play began on Tuesday’s third day of the third Test, players from both sides, together with officials stood to observe a minute’s silence in memory of all those cricketers who fought and lost their lives in World War I, a hundred years on from the start of that conflict.