Moeen Ali’s wristband controversy: ECB chief Giles Clarke clashes with Rabbi

ECB chief Giles Clarke clashes with Rabbi

Aug 9, 2014

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief Giles Clarke reportedly clashed with Rabbi over Moeen Ali’s support to Gaza. Clarke told the Rabbi during their altercation on telephone that there is no way he would control a cricket expressing his views.

According to a report in Daily Mirror, senior Rabbi Yisroel Fine of Cockfosters was so furious over Moeen’s action that he even threatened to give away his membership of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). Giles has apparently no control in functioning of the MCC.  During the heated telephonic conversation, Giles made it clear to the enraged Rabbi that he cannot control any cricketer from doing such things.

Moeen was in controversy during the third Test at Southampton against India, when he sported wristbands that read ‘Free Palestine’ and ‘Save Gaza’. The International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee for the game had to warn Moeen, asking him not to make any kind of political, religious or racial statements.

Meanwhile, England middle-order batsman Ian Bell chose not to respond on the matter during a press conference. “Who’s Gaza?” responded Bell when asked about his views.

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