Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi has been reprimanded by the FA after writing a religious message on the rainbow armband he wore against Newcastle United.
The armbands were issued to every Premier League club as part of the Rainbow Laces campaign, which is run by Stonewall in support of the LGBTQ+ community.
Guehi wore the armband but added the message: “I love Jesus”. The FA have responded by issuing the defender and his club with a formal reprimand, according to The Mirror.
His decision to write on the armband breached FA rules relating to slogans, statements, images and advertising, but no further charges will be brought against him.
The Laws of the Game allow ‘initiative slogans/emblems promoting the game of football, respect and integrity’, such as the Rainbow Laces campaign, but ‘political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images’ are banned.
The wording goes on to state that, for any offence, ‘the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA’.
Last summer, a modification to the rules made it clear that captains ‘must wear an armband which is simple and conforms to the requirements relating to slogans, statements, images and advertising’.
Meanwhile, the FA’s own rules forbid ‘any political or religious message’ and state that ‘disciplinary action may be taken’ for any breach of the regulations.
It comes after Ipswich Town skipper Sam Morsy was criticised on social media for being the only Premier League captain who refused to wear a rainbow armband, citing his religious beliefs as a practicing Muslim.
Ipswich later confirmed that Morsy chose not to wear the armband in their defeat to Nottingham Forest and said they respected his decision.
In a statement, they said: “Ipswich Town Football Club is committed to being a fully inclusive club that welcomes everyone.
“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.”
