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Marc Guehi’s dad has slammed critics after his son came under fire for “desecrating” his LGBT-inspired captain’s armband.
The Crystal Palace defender flirted with a potential FA charge for writing “I love Jesus” on his armband during their 1-1 draw with Newcastle United on Saturday. Guehi, a reported Toon target following a failed £65million pursuit in the summer, was appointed Eagles skipper at the start of the campaign.
Premier League captains have been asked to wear LGBT armbands from November 29 - December 5 to promote the Rainbow Laces campaign. The movement aims to “encourage LGBT acceptance among children and young people involved in the community”.
But an unexpected debate arose over the weekend when Guehi donned a religious message on his armband, with some believing the move was disrespectful. He will not face FA action despite the International Football Association Board (IFAB) forbidding “political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images”.
Guehi did not back down amid the outcry, writing “Jesus Loves You” on his rainbow-coloured armband as Palace won 1-0 at Ipswich Town last night. Eagles boss Olivier Glasner downplayed the situation following the game.
"I think we should calm it down," he said. "Everybody knows Marc, everyone knows he is a great player, he is a great personality. He is a very humble guy. He wore this. It's LGBT and everyone now is about integration, no discrimination and Marc as well.
“I think we all have the same opinion. We are in sports and in sports we are always against discrimination and any kind of abuse, and Marc as well."
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In defence of his son, Guehi’s dad, John, a church minister, claimed the LGBT community are “imposing” their beliefs on others. He told the Daily Mail: “I am saying did he offend anyone? I don't think so. I do believe in what the Bible says, Jesus loves everyone and, in my opinion, Marc did not offend anyone with what he wrote.
“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."
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