Zimbabwe protest armbands 'would cost cricketers'

Former Zimbabwean cricketer Henry Olonga (R), with Green Party co-leader Rod Donald. Picture / Simon Baker

Wearing black armbands or protest slogans on their shirts if the Black Caps tour Zimbabwe next month could personally cost cricketers almost $40,000 and disciplinary action, Green Party co-leader Rod Donald warned today.

Mr Donald has accused the Government of suggesting on-field protests as a way of distracting the public from the fact it was not prepared to take decisive action to stop the tour.

However, at a meeting in London today, New Zealand officials are to press the International Cricket Council (ICC) to find a way to get the Black Caps out of the tour.

New Zealand High Commissioner Jonathan Hunt will meet ICC president Ehsan Mani to discuss what measures - other than making the tour illegal - would exempt New Zealand Cricket from penalties.

The organisation faces millions of dollars in financial penalties if it voluntarily pulls out of the tour.

The meeting was scheduled after Mr Mani on Tuesday raised hopes by saying the organisation accepted when a government made a "clear directive" and imposed sporting sanctions.

However, Mr Mani yesterday said the tour must go ahead unless the Government made it illegal.

But the Government has ruled out passing legislation to ban the tour.

Foreign Minister Phil Goff said Mr Hunt would challenge the ICC on what the Government could do or say to stop the tour without changing the law, although he doubted the ICC position would change.

A prominent opponent of Robert Mugabe today said his regime is about to take its last gasp and stopping the tour will aid its demise.

Judith Todd is the daughter of Sir Garfield Todd, the Prime Minister of Rhodesia in the early 1960s.

Ms Todd said it is a critical time in the history of Zimbabwe, and the nation's economy is grinding to halt.

She will join former Zimbabwe cricket player Henry Olonga in a march protesting the tour in Auckland tomorrow at midday.

Mr Goff yesterday met Olonga, who is a vocal opponent of  Mugabe's regime. Olonga was brought to New Zealand by the Greens.

"We must remember cricket has a unique spirit and it's just not cricket for a cruel oppressor and tyrant to be oppressing his own people and the world to stand by and do nothing," Olonga said.

Calling off the tour would be a "slap in the face" for Mugabe, Olonga said.

However, if the tour had to proceed the Black Caps could put the international spotlight on Mugabe's human rights abuses by taking protest action.

Olonga discussed alternative action to making the tour illegal with Mr Goff yesterday. After that meeting, the minister said it was important to have a "plan B".

Olonga wore a black armband in a 2003 World Cup match to mourn the death of democracy in his homeland and Mr Goff said if New Zealand cricketers took similar action it would be a "powerful gesture".

Other measures included avoiding meeting Mugabe, avoiding tourist spots and visiting areas where houses had been demolished.

"Past cricketers have made the mistake of touring to Victoria Falls, being portrayed in the Zimbabwean media as people who are comfortable about being there and not too concerned about what is happening," Mr Goff said.

But Mr Donald said suggestions the Black Caps undertake on-field protests in Zimbabwe were a diversionary tactic.

"The Government having failed for four months to show moral leadership on Zimbabwe is now asking players to take costly, personal stands," Mr Donald said.

Asking them to wear black armbands or protest messages on their shirts would cost players financially and personally.

It was against ICC's clothing and equipment regulations for cricketers to wear black armbands or political messages on their shirts.

The penalty for breaching these regulations was US$25,000 ($37,588) per player, along with possible disciplinary action, he said.

The regulations had been tightened since Olonga and Andy Flower wore black armbands in 2003.

"So, while Mr Goff is not prepared to direct NZ Cricket not to tour because he doesn't want to interfere with NZ Cricket's contract, he is quite prepared to ask individual players to breach their contractual obligations and face whopping personal fines," he said.

- NZPA