Crystal Palace captain, Marc Guéhi, is under scrutiny from the Football Association after writing another “Jesus loves you” on his rainbow armband during a match against Ipswich Town on Tuesday.
The England international had similarly inscribed “I love Jesus” on his armband in the previous game against Newcastle, prompting the FA to remind Guéhi and his club of regulations prohibiting religious messages under Rule A4.
Despite the warning, he repeated the gesture against Ipswich, adding a heart symbol instead of the word “love.” The FA is investigating the incident, with reports suggesting that Guéhi could face disciplinary action, including a possible suspension.
To show support for the LGBTQ+ community, players have been wearing rainbow laces, clubs have put up rainbow corner flags, and captains have worn rainbow armbands over the past week. In Palace’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle United at the weekend, devout Christian Guehi added the words “I love Jesus” on his armband – prompting the FA to remind him that any religious message on a player’s kit is prohibited. Despite that, the England international then changed the words to “Jesus loves you” for Palace’s trip to Ipswich Town on Tuesday.
While Guehi wore the armband, Ipswich skipper Morsy was the Premier League’s only captain over the weekend not to wear the rainbow armband as his side lost to Nottingham Forest. The midfielder, a practising Muslim, cited “religious beliefs” for his actions and the armband was not in sight again for the Palace match. Though Morsy avoided sanctioning as his decision to simply forgo the armband was personal, Guehi may now face further punishment.
Football’s laws allow slogans that ‘promote the game of football, respect and integrity’ but ‘political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images’ are not permitted. The rules state: “For any offence the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA.”
