FA make decision on Marc Guehi after defiant religious message on rainbow armband
Nigel Farage demands ‘keep sport apolitical’ amid rainbow armband row
Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi has escaped formal action from the Football Association despite twice defying rules by writing religious messages on his rainbow armband during the Premier League's LGBTQ+ inclusion campaign.
The England defender wrote "I love Jesus" during Saturday's match against Newcastle, prompting an FA reminder about kit regulations prohibiting religious messages.
Guehi, 24, then defiantly displayed "Jesus loves you" on his armband during Tuesday night's match at Ipswich.
The FA has decided against taking formal action, instead opting to remind the club again about their kit regulations.
Marc Guehi has escaped punishment from the FA
Reuters
During Saturday's match, Guehi wrote "I love Jesus" above the "captain" branding on his rainbow armband, using a heart symbol instead of the word "love".
He then modified the message to "Jesus loves you" for Tuesday's match at Ipswich, again incorporating a heart symbol.
The messages contravened FA Rule A4, which explicitly prohibits the appearance of religious messages on any item of clothing or equipment.
The rainbow armbands were issued to all Premier League clubs as part of the Rainbow Laces campaign, run in partnership with LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall since 2013.
The campaign concludes after this week's Premier League fixtures.
John Guehi, a church minister and Marc's father, strongly defended his son's actions and criticised the FA's stance.
"Did he offend anyone? I don't think so. I do believe in what the Bible says, Jesus loves everyone, and, in my opinion, Marc did not offend anyone with what he wrote," he told the Daily Mail.
He pointed to the double standards, saying: "The FA are happy for the crowd to sing God Save The King when England plays, which mentions God and religion.
"And they are happy to have the religious hymn Abide With Me during the Cup final."
Marc Guehi wrote a religious message on his armband
Reuters
"I back my son for what he did, he's my son and, of course, I stand with him," he added.
The controversy comes amid similar situations involving religious beliefs and LGBTQ+ inclusion campaigns.
Ipswich captain Sam Morsy, a practising Muslim, opted not to wear the rainbow armband in recent matches against Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace.
Manchester United abandoned plans for players to wear pride-themed warm-up jackets before Sunday's match against Everton after defender Noussair Mazraoui declined to participate.
Marc Guehi's first message came against Newcastle
Reuters
United issued a statement saying: "Players are entitled to hold their own individual opinions, particularly in relation to their faith, and these may sometimes differ from the club's position."
The club's captain Bruno Fernandes did wear the rainbow armband during the match.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner called for "calm" over the issue following his side's win at Portman Road.
"Everyone now is about integration, no discrimination and Marc as well," he said. "He has his opinion and we accept and respect every opinion."
Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy also defied the FA by not wearing a rainbow armband at all
Reuters
A spokesman for Stonewall, the charity behind the Rainbow Laces campaign, emphasised that individual choice remains paramount.
"Support for the campaign helps people feel safe and welcome," the spokesman said, adding that "it is up to individuals to choose if and how they show their support for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport."
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