Is it fair that cricketers are not allowed to express their personal political views on social media?

[Cricket Warrior]

I believe Naseem Shah was wrong to post negative remarks about Maryam Nawaz. As a professional cricketer he should be more responsible with his words on social media, he has no right to question the presence of any political leader at a sporting event.

https://twitter.com/x/status/2038648098801762531

 

[emranabbas]

Its a criminal offence in Pakistan and you can be behind bars for 5 years

Its an ammendment imran khan made in peca act in 2022.

 

[Rana]

I can just say it from an English pov,

If someone like Ben Stokes or Jos Butler tweeted negatively (without abuse) regarding Kier Starmer, Donald Trump or Sadiq Khan let’s say…


I don’t think the ECB would do anything about it.

If they tweet in favour of Palestine though, I think they will be in trouble.

 

[emranabbas]

I can just say it from an English pov,

If someone like Ben Stokes or Jos Butler tweeted negatively (without abuse) regarding Kier Starmer, Donald Trump or Sadiq Khan let’s say…


I don’t think the ECB would do anything about it.

If they tweet in favour of Palestine though, I think they will be in trouble.

I don't see Ben stokes or jos butler being stupid like Pakistani players and bringing politics to the ground.

 

[Local.Dada]

Here is how it works, any cricketer as a person has right to vote or pick whatever political ideology he or she has.

When you are actively representing a team you need to stay away from these things.

 

[Local.Dada]

I heard a rumor Imran got Sarfaraz fired for not batting first against India in 2019 wc after winning toss as per his advice.

If true, that’s petty. He might be an ex great cricketer and a successful captain but it is purely the current active captain and coach decision, the win or loss is their own.

Sarfaraz was a mediocre cricketer but a gun captain. He atleast had 2 more years left atleast in white ball.

 

[Major]

When you work for the govt or represent the country you need to be neutral.

These punishments are not given out of thin air. They are mentioned in the contract.

Forget cricketer, even govt employees of all grades are told not to make comments or show their political leanings as it can lead to similar punishments.

Naseem was rightly fined and should be careful next time.

Infact forget cricketers, even this forum has a long history of when saj was the owner, and anyone bashed pp on reddit or some other site, they would straight away ban the poster.

 

[charlie007]

When you work for the govt or represent the country you need to be neutral.

These punishments are not given out of thin air. They are mentioned in the contract.

Forget cricketer, even govt employees of all grades are told not to make comments or show their political leanings as it can lead to similar punishments.

Naseem was rightly fined and should be careful next time.

Infact forget cricketers, even this forum has a long history of when saj was the owner, and anyone bashed pp on reddit or some other site, they would straight away ban the poster.

I thought Saj was still the owner! Not anymore?

 

[Hitman]

I thought Saj was still the owner! Not anymore?

Pretty obvious.

 

[Vikram1989]

Pretty obvious.

But why the old/new tweets from saj account.

 

[charlie007]

Pretty obvious.

Is that a yes or a no?

 

[charlie007]

Pretty obvious.

Read what Major wrote, that’s where my question stemmed from.

 

[Savak]

Look at Michael Slater, he posted tweets criticizing Australia's prime minister for not allowing Australians back into the country during the pandemic in April 2021, his contract with Channel 7 got terminated in October 2021 and his entire life tanked after that.

 

[Major]

I thought Saj was still the owner! Not anymore?

Nope, its pretty obvious now

 

[Hitman]

Is that a yes or a no?

A resounding yes!

 

[Major]

He dodged a two year ban here, and his career would had been over.

Naqvi saved him and only placed a fine.

He made a mistake, should bare the consequences

 

[AamchiMumbaikar]

He dodged a two year ban here, and his career would had been over.

Naqvi saved him and only placed a fine.

He made a mistake, should bare the consequences

He didn't comment anything on her political stances, corruption, ruling and policies. He asked why is she being treated like royalty ?

Would say the same if it happens to an Indian cricketer as well

 

[Sachin fan]

He didn't comment anything on her political stances, corruption, ruling and policies. He asked why is she being treated like royalty ?

Would say the same if it happens to an Indian cricketer as well

But the government is his employer. Can you say similar things about your bosses and their family and then claim I just asked why they are treated like royalty?

Come on dude. Please go on twitter and make comments on your bosses or ceos family members and see how it goes. Put your money where your mouth is. Let's see.

 

[sweep_shot]

Contracted players have to abide by their contract stipulations I guess.

Once they retire or go freelance, they can say/do/write whatever.

 

[zaidihusain]

Some fans trying to defend Naseem in the name of freedom of speech and democracy, but the tweet from his account itself was quite meaningless. Naseem certainly has the right to question the governance of any politician if he is not satisfied, but in this case he foolishly questioned the presence of the Chief Minister and the protocol she received, which was completely uncalled for. One cannot expect a Chief Minister to attend such events like a common member of the public. Even Naseem himself cannot go out in public like a common man.

These cricketers seriously need some basic education and guidance on how to behave professionally

 

[Josh]

Annonymous posting is a better alternative ..make a farzi unofficial account and post there.

 

[RyanRyan10]

Annonymous posting is a better alternative ..make a farzi unofficial account and post there.

Are you also an anonymous account of an international cricketer?

 

[Cover Drive Six]

Cricketers should be allowed to express their personal views on sports-related political issues like selection bias, nepotism, and favoritism, but not on unrelated political matters.

 

[Josh]

Are you also an anonymous account of an international cricketer?

Haha wouldn't you like to know
sometimes the best players keep their identities under wraps.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Only in our backward, unislamic country would a cricketer risk literally ending his career for rightfully questioning why a Nepo aunty and her tabbar is in the VIP stands watching live cricket whereas the common people and genuien fans of cricket of the country are not allowed to go.