The ICC has usually acted against the players taking political stands but today it said in a statement, “The ICC stands against racism and is proud of the diversity of our sport”.
ICC has said that it will take a “common-sense approach” to on-field protests over the alleged killing of George Floyd when the sport resumes from next month. Cricketers have joined other top sports stars in speaking against racism & backing the Black Lives Matter Campaign after the death of the 46-year-old African American Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis. The ICC has usually acted against players taking political stands. But it said in a statement, “The ICC stands against racism and is proud of the diversity of our sport”.
“We support the players using their platform to express their support for a more equitable society. We will exercise a common-sense approach to the implementation of regulations in relation to this issue and they will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by the match officials.”
Kneeling down has become a symbolic way for showing support for the Black Lives Matter Campaign, but West Indies Captain Jason Holder said his side will consider whether to take the knee when they start their three-Test tour in England in July.
The ICC initially has taken a conservative approach towards political gestures. It forced India’s MS. Dhoni to remove army insignia from his wicket-keeping gloves at last year’s World Cup in England.
England all-rounder Moeen Ali was banned from wearing wristbands that featured the slogans “Save Gaza” & “Free Palestine” in 2014.
