MARC GUEHI has written a message on the Rainbow captain’s armband AGAIN – despite being spoken to by the FA.
As well as players wearing Rainbow laces and clubs using Rainbow corner flags, captains were asked to wear Rainbow armbands over the weekend in a show of support for the LGBTQ+ community.
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Crystal Palace star Guehi did so against Newcastle – but added the words “I love Jesus” on the armband.
The defender, a devout Christian, was spoken to by the FA, who reminded him that the incorporation of any religious message on a player’s kit is prohibited.
Just days later, away against Ipswich, Guehi wrote on the armband again but changed the words to “Jesus love you” with a smiley face.
The 24-year-old was one of 19 top flight captains who wore the armband in the weekend fixtures to support the LGBTQ+ community.
Ipswich’s Morsy was the only skipper to snub wearing the armband entirely against Nottingham Forest due to “religious beliefs”.
But Guehi – whose father is a minister – risked facing action by writing the religious message on his arm against Newcastle.
The Laws of the Game allow slogans “promoting the game of football, respect and integrity”.
But the Laws forbid “political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images”.
Breaching this requirement is a strict liability situation with the Laws adding: “For any offence the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA.”
FA disciplinary beaks opted to reprimand Guehi and Palace rather than going any further.
Both Guehi and his club were told that the appearance of any religious message on kits, boots or any other equipment – including the armband – is prohibited under FA Rule A4.
Morsy – a practising Muslim – was the only one of the league’s 20 captains not to wear the armband in support of the LGBT+ community.
In a club statement, while stressing their commitment to LGBT+ inclusion, Ipswich admit they “respect the decision” of Morsy to don a plain Prem captain’s armband instead.
The statement read: “Ipswich Town Football Club is committed to being a fully inclusive club that welcomes everyone.
“We proudly support the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign and stand with the LGBTQ+ community in promoting equality and acceptance.
“During this year’s campaign, members of the club’s men’s and women’s first-teams visited our Foundation’s weekly LGBTQ+ football session, while the club also made a joint pledge of solidarity and inclusivity alongside Nottingham Forest ahead of the game.
“At the same time, we respect the decision of our captain Sam Morsy, who has chosen not to wear the rainbow captain’s armband, due to his religious beliefs.
“We will continue to grow an environment where all are valued and respected, both on and off the pitch.”
Morsy has been captain of Ipswich under boss Kieran McKenna since 2021 and also did not wear the rainbow armband against Palace.
Sheffield United’s Anel Ahmedhodzic also refused to wear a Rainbow armband in the Prem back in December 2023, but did not give a specific reason as to why, simply saying the word “guess”.
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