FA makes Marc Guehi’s decision after second rainbow armband message

Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi has been under the spotlight for his decision to wear a rainbow armband with a religious message.

For the second game running, Guehi was spotted wearing a rainbow armband with a message that states “I love Jesus”. This was days after he wore the armband for his team’s clash against Newcastle.

The FA reminded Palace and Guehi of the rules prohibiting such slogans after the incident at the weekend, The Telegraph reports, and even though he decided to double down and display a second message, he will not be punished.

Meanwhile, Ipswich captain Sam Morsy refused to wear the rainbow armband, which displays support for the LGBTQ+ community, but will not face punishment.

Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace FC and Newcastle United (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images)

Reacting to the ongoing drama, Guehi’s dad, a church minister, has accused the FA of having double standards on the issue, telling The Daily Mail: “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. And yet they have a go at my son for expressing his beliefs. Where is the sense in that? What exactly has he done wrong?

“I back my son for what he did. He’s my son and, of course, I stand with him. I don’t see anything wrong in the message that was on his armband, do you? I haven’t had a chance to speak with him yet about it. I am a church minister and a devout Christian, and so is Marc. He didn’t refuse to wear the rainbow armband, so where is the problem? Morsy refused to wear the armband, but my son didn’t, he wore it.”

He added: “Jesus loved everyone. Therefore, by saying ‘I love Jesus’ on his armband I really don’t see what is offensive and what the problem is. If you look at what the LGBT community are doing, they are trying to impose on others what they believe in. It’s belief against belief, but at the end of the day everyone has the right to an opinion.”

Guehi will be back on the pitch for Palace when they host Manchester City in the Premier League on Saturday.