[Full Text] Henry Olonga, the Zimbabwe cricketer who wore a black armband during a World Cup match to protest against the "death of democracy" in his country, was expelled by his club yesterday.
Olonga's club, Takushinga, which means "we are brave", told the player, the first black to appear in the national side, that his actions had brought the game and the club into disrepute. Olonga, 26, was defiant last night. "I have got no problems about leaving a team that doesn't want me," he said. "I don't regret what I did. I would do it again." Proud: Henry Olonga
Olonga, a fast bowler, was joined in his action by Andy Flower, one of Zimbabwe's batsmen, but as a black athlete he has taken the brunt of huge criticism from the state-controlled media and loyalist sportsmen.
A pro-government daily, the Mirror, accused the pair of doing a deal with Nasser Hussain to call off the England fixture in Harare in return for the England captain securing them places in county cricket. Both denied the accusation.
The two caused a sensation by issuing a statement before Zimbabwe's first match in the tournament, against Namibia, condemning the deteriorating food and human rights situation in their country.
They said they were wearing black armbands because they were "mourning the death of democracy in our beloved Zimbabwe".
The Zimbabwe Cricket Union, the sport's governing body in Zimbabwe, referred their actions to the International Cricket Council.
Olonga said: "As the highest body governing cricket, the International Cricket Council, exonerated us one would think this would be binding on lower authorities like Takushinga. I suppose I will have to find a new club now."
Takushinga, in Harare, is one of the top five clubs in the country's Premier League and Olonga had played for it for two years. He said he would now "weigh up my options".
Olonga was not picked to play against India on Wednesday, but Flower was on the field wearing a black wristband, understood to be a compromise gesture to the ICC. Members of the executive of Takushinga Cricket Club were not available for comment. [End]