CAPTAIN'S CALL
Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi writes message on his Rainbow captain’s armband AGAIN after being spoken to by FA
Ipswich's captain also made a bold decision on the armband
MARC GUEHI defied the FA by writing a message on the Rainbow captain's armband AGAIN.
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 on Saturday - 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 displaying any religious message on a player's kit is prohibited.
But on Tuesday night, away against Ipswich, Guehi wrote on the armband again but changed the words to "Jesus loves 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 Premier League's Rainbow Laces campaign in support of LGBTQ+ rights.
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Ipswich's Morsy was the only skipper to snub wearing the armband entirely due to “religious beliefs”.
The Ipswich skipper did so again in the game against Crystal Palace.
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”.
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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 speak with 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.
The FA declined to comment when approached over any further repercussions following Tuesday night's repeat offence.
Speaking after Tuesday's game, which Palace won 1-0 to ease relegation concerns, manager Oliver Glasner backed his captain.
He said: "We respect every single player and especially Marc as our captain.
"He's a great guy, very humble and we shouldn't make it bigger than it is. Keep it calm.
"He's very respectful to everyone in the club.
"In football we're all against discrimination, against abuse, every single part. It was a great campaign and I think that's it.
"We spoke about it. I speak to Marc quite often, he's my captain.
"He's no child who is 15, he's an adult person like every one of us.
"He has his opinion and we accept and respect every opinion. This is the quote of this campaign, being tolerant and Marc is very tolerant so everything is fine."
Armband snub
Ipswich captain Morsy – a practising Muslim – was the only one of the league’s 20 captains not to wear the Rainbow armband.
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.
McKenna said after the game: "In line with what the club statement said we want to be an inclusive club. We are working really hard on that within the playing group, there is a lot of good work being done.
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"The club has accepted Sam's decision based on his religious beliefs and that is a fair assessment."
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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