Marc Guehi (@marcguehi) / Instagram
CV NEWS FEED // A United Kingdom soccer player for the Crystal Palace team has narrowly avoided being disciplinarily charged after writing and wearing “I love Jesus” on a pro-LGBT rainbow armband that was issued to Premier League team captains.
Marc Guéhi likely could have been penalized by the English Football Association (FA) for his actions wearing the message during the Nov. 30 game against Newcastle United.
According to ESPN FC, “the 24-year-old could have been handed a disciplinary charge, but now he will not face any formal action which could have resulted in a suspension or a fine.” ESPN FC reports that Guéhi is Christian.
The FA prohibits political or religious messaging on clothing items as a part of its advertising regulations.
According to TalkSport, “The armbands are sent to clubs to be given to Premier League captains to wear in games to show support for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport against Newcastle.”
TalkSport reports that following the game, Crystal Palace’s manager Oliver Glasner said, “I think we should calm it down. Everybody knows Marc, everyone knows he is a great player, he is a great personality. He is a very humble guy. He wore this. It’s LGBT and everyone now is about integration, no discrimination and Marc as well. I think we all have the same opinion.”
Guéhi reportedly received a warning from the FA after wearing the message over the armband. In a game on Dec. 3, Guéhi wore the rainbow armband again, this time writing “Jesus loves you,” and a smiley face, on it, according to TalkSport.
On Dec. 3, Guéhi appeared to double-down on his stance in a brief post to his Instagram account story that read: “Jesus [hearts] you. Stay blessed.” He has 127,000 followers on Instagram.
According to ESPN FC, another team captain, Ipswich Town’s Sam Morsy, who is Muslim, opted to forego wearing the rainbow armband entirely, citing his religious beliefs.
ESPN FC reported that “[t]he FA considers Morsy’s decision to be a matter for the club and the individual and did not contravene any … regulations.”
Ipswich Town said in a statement that it remains “committed to being a fully inclusive club,” adding that it respects Morsy’s religious belief-based action.
Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui, who is Muslim, this weekend refused to wear a pro-LGBT warmup jacket, also citing religious beliefs, according to online sports site Goal. After this decision, the rest of United’s team chose not to wear the jackets either, so as to prevent singling anyone out.
As an organization, Manchester United stated that it supports the pro-LGBT campaign that the jackets were supposed to go alongside, although players can have their own opinions, according to ESPN FC. ESPN FC also reports that Manchester United team captain Bruno Fernandes did wear the rainbow armband, and other players on the team have been a part of video promos for the pro-LGBT initiative.
