ICC bans Moeen Ali from wearing wrist band with "GAZA" message

England’s Moeen Ali  has banned by International Cricket Council (ICC) from wearing wristbands that had carried messages based on the issue happening in the middle which say “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine” during the ongoing third of the five match Investec Test series between England and India at The Ageas Bowl.

Even though the England & Wales Cricket Board supported Moeen’s right of wearing the bands, the ICC match referee, David Boon warned him not to do wear them again.

“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,” ICC said in a statement.

“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.“, was quoted in the official Statement.

Moeen Ali was banned according to section F of the relevant ICC code: “Players and team officials shall not be permitted to wear, display or otherwise convey messages through arm bands or other items affixed to clothing or equipment unless approved in advance by the player or team official’s Board. Approval shall not be granted for messages which relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes.“

Moeen Ali, the 27-year-old Pakistani descent Muslim, participated in a photo shoot earlier in the week to help the raise of funds for Gaza relief efforts in at home city of Birmingham in the central England.

Ali’s wristbands were publicly displayed for 42 minutes while his batting where he made 12 runs before Bhuvneshwar Kumar dismissed him. Later he wore during India’s batting which existed for 14 overs on Day2.

Earlier on Monday, after Ali was spotted with those wrist bands, ICC began their investigation over it and a ICC person spoken over the issue.

An ICC spokesman told, “We’re investigating and will report in due course.” The England and Wales Cricket Board have yet to comment on Ali’s incident.

However, the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has defended Ali’s decision of wearing the wristbands with slogans of “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine” written on it.