Usman Khawaja sparks controversy with boycott linked to Israel-Palestine conflict

Usman Khawaja sparks controversy with boycott linked to Israel-Palestine conflict

After Day 1 of the first Test match against the West Indies in the Caribbean, Australian opener Usman Khawaja made headlines by shockingly refusing to participate in a post-match interview with major media oulet SEN. The development comes after journalist Peter Lalor was controversially fired by the 24/7 sports company earlier this year.

SEN showed the door to respected cricket reporter Lalor at a Test match in Galle after the freelancer sent a string of tweets and retweets regarding the war in Gaza during Australia's tour of Sri Lanka in February. Lalor’s social media behavior, including reposting news items regarding Israeli bombings and the release of Palestinian captives, led to the judgment.

Khawaja, who struck a tenacious 47 in Australia's poor first innings of 180 at Bridgetown, reportedly turned down an invitation to speak with SEN commentators following stumps at Kensington Oval on Thursday morning AEDT.

The veteran opening batter reportedly told reporters Adam Collins and Bharat Sundaresan he wouldn't be performing an interview after spotting a SEN microphone.

In a statement, Lalor, who is also reporting on the three-Test series, said: “Usman is a man of principle whose support I valued greatly when I was dismissed and whose ongoing support I appreciate.”

Khawaja, a devout Muslim, made news in late 2023 for his human rights demonstration before the Boxing Day Test match against Pakistan at the MCG. In support with Gaza people, the cricketer also wore a black armband during the first Test match in Perth.

To his chagrin, Khawaja was also prohibited by Cricket Australia and the ICC from donning shoes that read "freedom is a human right" and "all lives matter" before the first Test.

Khawaja claimed that at the time, he was annoyed that he had to use tape to hide the words on his shoes.

“It's just a little bit disappointing. I don't really see the controversy of [saying] all lives matter and saying freedom is a human right,” he said.

“I don't see where it becomes political ... I find it hard to accept where people find what I said distasteful. It makes me feel a little bit uneasy that people find those words uneasy.”

“It's been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster for, I guess... I'll always stand up for what I believe in, even if people don't agree with me or don't like me saying it. I want to look back on my career and say, look, I stood up for my values, I respect what I did on the field, but I also respect myself for what I did off the field... that means more to me.”