Despite wearing a modified rainbow armband for the second time, Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi will not face any formal action from the Football Association. The player and the club were reminded of FA kit regulations after he sported an armband that read ‘I love Jesus’ during Saturday’s match against Newcastle.
He then wore one stating ‘Jesus loves you’ in Tuesday night’s game against Ipswich, but it is understood by the PA news agency that the FA will still not take action. Both the club and the player were once again reminded of kit regulations, which prohibit any religious message on clothing, football boots or other equipment under Rule A4.
Captains have been donning rainbow armbands in the last two rounds of Premier League matches as part of the Rainbow Laces campaign, supporting the LGBTQ+ community in football and beyond. The campaign, run in partnership with LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall by the Premier League, concludes with Thursday’s Premier League matches, so Guehi, who was linked with a move to Newcastle United last summer, is not expected to wear a rainbow armband again.
The FA did not intervene in the case of Ipswich captain Sam Morsy, who opted to wear a standard captain’s armband in the last two matches due to his religious beliefs. Even though Guehi has not been penalised, his father John, a church minister, criticised the FA for issuing a reminder.
He expressed his bewilderment to the Daily Mail: “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.
“Marc said yes and did the right thing by wearing it but people are having a go at him. 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 (FA) Cup final, yet they have a go at my son for expressing his beliefs. Where is the sense in that? What has he done wrong?”
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fa-make-marc-guehi-decision-30511755
