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“I Love Jesus” Rainbow Armband Earns Marc Guehi Formal Reprimand from FA

Marc Guehi and Crystal Palace will be formally reprimanded by the FA after the player wrote “I love Jesus” on his rainbow captain’s armband because of a ban on “religious and political images”. The _Mail_ [has more](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14152001/Crystal-Palaces-captain-Marc-Guehi-face-FA-charge-rainbow-armband.html).

> The player and club had faced a charge, with FIFA and FA rules banning “any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images” on players’ equipment, which includes armbands.

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> However, bosses at the FA have instead decided to remind Guehi and Palace of those regulations, rather than take further action.

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> _Mail Sport_ also understands that Ipswich captain Sam Morsy will not be punished after refusing to wear the armband, part of a campaign supporting the LGBTQ+ community, because of his religious beliefs.

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> As his refusal was not a rule breach – unlike Guehi’s message – the matter is deemed to be one for the club, rather than governing bodies.

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> Morsy, 33, is a British-born midfielder who plays for Egypt and is a practising Muslim. He was the only one of 20 captains in the Premier League not to wear the armband.

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> A spokesperson for national LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall did not condemn the actions of either player.

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> He said: “It has been incredible to see so many football teams at all levels support our Rainbow Laces campaign to make sport safer and more inclusive for all. When we see clubs show their support for LGBTQ+ inclusion, it helps people feel safe and welcome both on and off the pitch.

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> “It is up to individuals to choose if and how they show their support for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport.”

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> Guehi is a devout Christian and previously spoke about how his faith plays a major role in his career. 

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> Speaking to the [_Athletic_](https://theathletic.com/2463674/2021/03/20/marc-guehi-is-serious-about-playing-premier-league-football/), he said: “I’ve grown up loving God and when I have had the chance I still go to church with my family, and my faith is definitely a big part of my life.

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> “Faith is everything that I’m involved with, really; even in football, where I’m trying to be a role model and show God’s graciousness and God’s glory through my life.”

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> Guehi comes from a religious household, with his father, John, being a church minister. In fact, his role with the church caused a scheduling drama during the Euros, after he took a service at a church in Lewisham on the day of England’s clash against Serbia. 

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> Guehi admitted that “God comes first” and that he expected his father to be at the service rather than his match.

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> Guehi admitted: “Usually God comes first. I’d expect him to be at church but he could turn up, I don’t know. I’ll have to message him later to ask.”

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> First launched in 2013, the Rainbow Laces campaign sees clubs use rainbow corner flags, while captains wear rainbow armbands as well as laces. The occasion was almost universally observed, save for the Ipswich skipper.

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