Another Israel vs Palestine scandal hits Aussie cricket as star Usman Khawaja stuns with shock boycott
Aussie cricket star Usman Khawaja has turned heads after sensationally boycotting a post-game interview in the Caribbean with major media outlet SEN following day one of the first Test against the West Indies.
It comes after the 24/7 sports business controversially sacked journalist Peter Lalor earlier this year.
Respected cricket reporter Lalor posted a series of tweets and retweets about the war in Gaza when Australia were touring Sri Lanka in February - and the freelancer was promptly shown the door by SEN during a Test match in Galle.
The decision followed Lalor's social media activity, which included reposts of news articles about Israeli airstrikes as well as the release of Palestinian prisoners.
On Thursday morning AEDT, Khawaja - who scored a dogged 47 in Australia 's disappointing first innings of 180 in Bridgetown - reportedly rejected a request to chat to SEN commentators after stumps at Kensington Oval.
It is understood the veteran opening batsman spotted an SEN microphone and then informed reporters Adam Collins and Bharat Sundaresan he wouldn't be doing an interview.
Lalor, who is also covering the three-Test series, said in a statement: 'Usman is a man of principle whose support I valued greatly when I was dismissed and whose ongoing support I appreciate.'
In late 2023, Khawaja - who is a practising Muslim - attracted headlines after his human rights protest ahead of the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan at the MCG.
The cricket star also donned a black armband during the first Test in Perth to show support for civilians in Gaza.
And much to his dismay before the first Test, Khawaja was banned by Cricket Australia and the ICC from wearing shoes bearing the messages 'freedom is a human right' and 'all lives matter'.
At the time, Khawaja said he felt frustrated after he was forced to cover the messages on his shoes with tape.
'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.'
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