Guehi Describes Armband Message as “Truth and Inclusivity” Amid FA Rules

Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi, who regularly played for England at Euro 2024, stated that the message ‘Jesus loves you’ he inscribed on his rainbow armband on Tuesday conveyed “truth and love and inclusivity”. The Football Association (FA) will not initiate formal proceedings against the 24-year-old England centre-back or Crystal Palace, even though Guehi disregarded the organization’s directive prohibiting religious messages on kits. Guehi had previously been informed of the FA’s rules concerning this matter after he displayed the message ‘I love Jesus’ on his rainbow captain’s armband during Saturday’s game against Newcastle United. Nevertheless, the defender exhibited a comparable message on his armband during the match against Ipswich Town at Portman Road. These rainbow armbands are part of the Premier League’s LGBTQ+ inclusion campaign, conducted in partnership with the charity Stonewall. While team captains are encouraged to wear them, it is not mandatory. “The message was just a message of truth and love and inclusivity to be honest,” Guehi stated, without elaborating further to specify his exact meaning. He further commented: “I don’t think the message was harmful in any way – that’s all I can really say about that to be honest.” These remarks were made during an extensive interview, which will be broadcast in its entirety on Saturday’s BBC Radio 5 Live Sport, preceding the commentary for the Crystal Palace versus Manchester City match. “I believe 100% in the words that I wrote, even what I’ve just said now – it’s a message of truth and love, and I hope people can understand that my faith is my faith, and I’ll stand by it for the rest of my life,” he affirmed. The regulations of the FA explicitly forbid the “appearance on, or incorporation in, any item of clothing, football boots or other equipment of any religious message”. BBC Sport has received information indicating that the FA will not pursue any formal disciplinary action against Guehi or Palace, but it has reiterated to the club its regulations concerning messages on kits. Ipswich captain Sam Morsy opted not to wear a rainbow armband during Saturday’s Premier League loss to Nottingham Forest or in Tuesday’s defeat against Guehi’s Palace. The club attributed his decision to his “religious beliefs”. Similarly, Manchester United cancelled plans to wear a jacket in support of the LGBTQ+ community before their Sunday victory over Everton, following a player’s refusal to wear it. “We wonder why we have no active Premier League player that feels comfortable enough to be open with their sexuality when their captain can’t even wear an armband or a player’s walk-out top?” former England international Lianne Sanderson posted on social media. She continued: “It’s not about throwing anything down people’s throats. It’s to support a community and people that for the most part don’t feel comfortable at football games still now in 2024. “Thanks to those players and captains that have supported anyway.”