Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News, 2014-07-28

England cricketer Moeen Ali risked disciplinary action after the International Cricket Council (ICC) said Monday they were “investigating” his decision to wear wristbands in support of Gaza during the ongoing third Test match against India on Monday.

Ali wore wristbands that read “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine”, while batting during England’s first innings at the Rose Bowl in Southampton.

An ICC spokesman told AFP: “We’re investigating and will report in due course.”

The ECB confirmed on Monday night that Ali had not asked their permission, although a spokesman said: ‘We do not believe Moeen has committed an offence.’

The 27-year-old Ali, a practising Muslim of Pakistani descent, was photographed earlier this week helping raise funds for Gaza relief efforts in his home city of Birmingham in central England.

Ali’s wristbands were only on public display for 42 minutes while he was at the crease.

On Friday, Malaysian cyclist Azizulhasni Awang was warned he risked being thrown out of the Commonwealth Games if he repeated wearing gloves bearing the message “Save Gaza”.

Awang could have been ejected from the 2014 Glasgow Games after wearing the gloves in competition on Thursday.

Instead the 26-year-old was given a reprimand and warned not to wear them again.

The Commonwealth Games Federation seeks to avoid its competitions being used for political means.

Though Awang insisted his message was “humanitarian” rather than politically charged, he issued an apology.

The United Nations on Monday called for an “immediate” ceasefire in the fighting that has already killed over a thousand Palestinians.

(Twitter: @Faizie143)