England cricketer Moeen Ali has been told by the International Cricket Council that he can no longer wear his “Save Gaza” and “Free Palestine” wristbands while playing for his country.

Ali has also been seen raising funds in his hometown of Birmingham for the victims of the ongoing massacre of civilians in Gaza.

Despite not telling England he would wear the wristbands during the third Test against India on Monday, the England Cricket Board (ECB) were prepared to let the all-rounder continue to show his support by wearing the items while playing. 

But the ICC has decided that the Ali is not allowed to show his solidarity with the Palestinians while playing in Southampton.

The 27-year-old has not been charged or punished but has been told he must remove the wristbands while out on the field.

A spokesman for the world governing body said: “The ICC equipment and clothing regulations do not permit the display of messages that relate to political, religious or racial activities or causes during an international match.

“Moeen Ali was told by the match referee that, while he is free to express his views on such causes away from the cricket field, he is not permitted to wear the wristbands on the field of play and warned not to wear the bands again during an international match.”

On Monday night an ECB spokesman said: “We don’t believe he has committed any offence.”

While the wristbands have been banned, the rest of the team are allowed to wear the logo of the Help for Heroes military charity on their collar due to it being a non-political charity.