Australian batter Usman Khawaja has been charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for wearing a black armband to raise awareness about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The ICC contends that Khawaja’s display of the black armband goes against their regulations, prompting an official charge against the cricketer.

Khawaja wore a blackarm during the Perth Test against Pakistan during which he played a dominating knock in the second innings scoring 90.

Khawaja had expressed his desire to display messages stating “Freedom is a human right” and “All lives are equal,” on his footwear in the Perth Test, but dropped the idea after he was informed that it went against the ICC regulations.

According to ICC regulations, players and officials must seek permission from both their home cricket board and the ICC for displaying personal messages through their clothing (which also includes wearing armbands) or gestures.

After being informed about the ICC’s regulations that denied the display of messages during the Test match, Khawaja shared his disappointment in a heartbeat video, asking “Is freedom not for everyone? Are all lives not equal?”

Cricket Australia and Khawaja’s captain Pat Cummins stood by the left-handed batter.