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The same policy that led to a banner being removed from the stands in the Perth Test on Sunday will apply for the Boxing Day Test at the MCG and the first Test of the new year in Sydney.
The banner displayed in Perth carried the same words that Australian batter Usman Khawaja was banned from wearing on his shoes during the match: “all lives are equal” and “freedom is a human right”.
A pro-Palestine banner is removed by security in PerthCredit: AAP
The veteran opener had wanted to display the messages amid the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but was forbidden from doing so by the ICC and instead wore a black armband during the match. He taped over the message on his shoes.
However, the removal of the banner was in line with Cricket Australia’s terms and conditions of entry, which applies to all ticket holders and says, among a range of other conditions, that patrons “will not: wear or otherwise display commercial, political, religious or offensive signage or logos”.
The MCG and SCG confirmed to this masthead that they would adhere to the policy, which will apply to all Tests for the rest of the summer.
The detailed terms and conditions give Cricket Australia the right to eject patrons or be banned from attending future events if they contravene the measures.
Khawaja raises the bat after reaching his half-century.Credit: Getty
The banner displayed at Optus Stadium on Sunday measured more than five metres in length, and caught the attention of security after it 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 were also escorted out of the stadium.
Optus Stadium said in a statement that the sign had been removed because it contravened Cricket Australia’s terms and conditions but the patrons were removed because of their behaviour rather than the sign.
“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.”
A Cricket Australia spokesperson said the primary objective of the conditions were to ensure that all spectators could enjoy the cricket without disruption. The spokesperson also confirmed the spectators at Optus Stadium were removed because of their behaviour rather than for hanging the banner.
The approach is consistent with many sporting organisations and stadiums in Australia. Tennis Australia banned Russian and Belarusian flags from being displayed during this year’s Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park.
Australian Cricketers Association CEO Todd Greenberg said the union would support Khawaja’s efforts to display the words on his shoes for the Boxing Day Test if he wanted to argue his case to Cricket Australia and the ICC.
“If he wants to push a particular cause then we will support him,” Greenberg said.
with Dan Walsh
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