The Football Association (FA) is set to remind Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi and his club of the regulations surrounding religious messaging on football kit following an incident during their recent Premier League match against Newcastle United.
Guehi, the England defender, wore a rainbow captain’s armband on Saturday as part of the Premier League’s annual Rainbow Laces campaign, which supports LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport. However, the armband bore the message “I love Jesus,” sparking controversy and raising concerns of a breach of FA rules.
Under Rule A4 of the FA’s kit and advertising regulations, any religious messaging is prohibited on football kits, boots, and equipment. This includes messages like the one displayed on Guehi’s armband. The FA, however, has stated that no formal charge will be pursued in this instance, but a reminder about the importance of adhering to these regulations will be sent to both Guehi and Crystal Palace.
The Rainbow Laces campaign, which runs from November 29 to December 5, encourages clubs across the Premier League to demonstrate their support for LGBTQ+ inclusion. While the initiative has seen widespread support, Guehi’s personal religious message has drawn attention due to its potential clash with the FA’s rules.
This issue comes just days after Ipswich Town’s captain, Sam Morsy, chose not to wear a rainbow armband during his team’s Premier League match against Nottingham Forest. Morsy’s decision was reportedly motivated by his “religious beliefs,” a stance his club, Ipswich Town, publicly respected. The club, which is committed to inclusivity, emphasized that Morsy’s decision did not undermine the team’s values of welcoming everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Ipswich’s stance sparked disappointment among some supporters, including Rainbow Tractors, the club’s LGBTQ+ fans group. They expressed regret over Morsy’s decision not to wear the armband, highlighting the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in sport.
As Crystal Palace prepares to face Ipswich on Tuesday in the Premier League, the situation surrounding Guehi’s armband continues to spark debate about the balance between personal beliefs and the broader inclusivity efforts in football. The FA’s reminder to both Guehi and Palace underscores the ongoing challenge of navigating the intersection of personal expression and the need for standardized regulations within professional sports.
For now, the message is clear: while football remains a platform for inclusivity and support for marginalized communities, it must also adhere to established rules when it comes to religious or political messaging.
