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Righteousness2:
GOD Bless the Captain who refused the Rubbish and Nonsense

OLAADEGBU:
Premier League captain who REFUSED to wear rainbow armband is named

The rest of the league backed the LGBT awareness weekend. Read more: https://trib.al/TvfENXK

AndroBlaze:
I wonder how you would feel by this guy's actions.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14152001/Crystal-Palaces-captain-Marc-Guehi-face-FA-charge-rainbow-armband.html?ico=related-replace

Righteousness2:
GOD Bless the Captain who refused the Rubbish and Nonsense

Premier League's LGBT rainbow civil war: Devout Christian England star Marc Guehi gets FA reprimand for scrawling 'I love Jesus' on equality armband, while Muslim star at rival club refused to wear his
Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi wrote 'I love Jesus' on his armband on Saturday
The England international has been reminded of the regulations by The FA
SOCCER A-Z: Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, or watch on YouTube. New episodes every Wednesday and Friday

By MIKE KEEGAN and JAMES COHEN
PUBLISHED: 09:17, 3 December 2024 | UPDATED: 16:27, 3 December 2024

Marc Guehi and Crystal Palace will be formally reprimand by the FA after the star wrote ‘I love Jesus’ on his rainbow captain’s armband.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Marc Guehi is set to be issued a formal reminder by the FA after writing on his armband
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Marc Guehi is set to be issued a formal reminder by the FA after writing on his armband

The Crystal Palace star scribbled 'I love Jesus' on his armband against Newcastle on Saturday
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The Crystal Palace star scribbled 'I love Jesus' on his armband against Newcastle on Saturday

England’s Guehi, 24, emerged for the Eagles’ clash with Newcastle with the hand-written message on display.

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

They 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.

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

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

Speaking to The Athletic, 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.

'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.'

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.

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

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.'

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.

Guehi's decision to write on the armband could be seen as 'an aggravating factor'
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Guehi's decision to write on the armband could be seen as 'an aggravating factor'

The England international comes from a religious household, with his father being a minister
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The England international comes from a religious household, with his father being a minister

According to The Mirror, the newly-promoted side confirmed that Morsy refused to partake in the initiative due to his faith. The club were nevertheless keen to stress their commitment to LGBT+ inclusion.

The Tractor Boys' second dedicated Rainbow Laces fixture will take place on Tuesday night when they welcome Crystal Palace to Portman Road.

In a statement, a spokesperson insisted that the club 'proudly supports' the campaign.

'Ipswich Town Football Club is committed to being a fully inclusive club that welcomes everyone. We proudly support the Premier League's Rainbow Laces campaign and stand with the LGBTQ+ community in promoting equality and acceptance,' the spokesperson said.

'During this year's campaign, members of the club's men's and women's first-teams visited our Foundation's weekly LGBTQ+ football session, while the club also made a joint pledge of solidarity and inclusivity alongside Nottingham Forest ahead of Saturday's game.

'A range of further initiatives are planned around Tuesday's home game with Crystal Palace, including a takeover of the stadium's big screen in the moments prior to kick-off.

'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.'

However, some fans on social media were quick to point out the fact Morsy had previously worn betting sponsors on his kit - but never cited religious reasons or fought against wearing it.

One fan wrote: 'Sam Morsy is more than happy to promote gambling which also goes against his beliefs. F***ing hypocrite.'

Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy refused to wear a rainbow armband during his side's 1-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest on religious grounds
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Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy refused to wear a rainbow armband during his side's 1-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest on religious grounds

Fans were quick to point out Morsy's willingness to wear betting sponsors on his top
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Fans were quick to point out Morsy's willingness to wear betting sponsors on his top

Another said: 'It is quite funny how we've never heard a Muslim footballer refuse to wear a betting sponsor.

'Also as a champion of another just social cause it's sad Morsy can't find the same empathy and support for another group of people oppressed throughout many parts of the globe.'

Last season, Sheffield United captain Anel Ahmedhodzic became the first skipper in seven years to refuse to wear a rainbow armband.

The Bosnia-Herzegovina star didn't provide an official response as to why he didn't wear it.

But Swedish outlet SVT Sport claimed he got back to them when questioned via text message, cryptically writing 'Guess', before failing to answer further questions.

Read More
Named: The one Premier League captain who REFUSED to wear rainbow armband because of Muslim faith
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There have also been notable examples on the continent, with Orkun Kokcu and Idrissa Gueye - then of Feyenoord and PSG respectively - citing religious grounds for their objection.

Research published by Stonewall found that 27 per cent of LGBTQ+ people do not feel welcome in community sport groups or community team sports.

Some 22 per cent who attended a fitness club or sports group in the last year experienced discrimination because of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

When it comes to watching live sport, there remain huge obstacles to overcome. One in five LGBTQ+ people who attended a live sporting event in the last year felt discriminated against because of being LGBTQ+. That figure rises to 34 per cent among Black, Asian and minority ethnic LGBTQ+ people who attended a live sport event in the last year.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-14152001/Crystal-Palaces-captain-Marc-Guehi-face-FA-charge-rainbow-armband.html?ico=related-replace

Crystal Palace captain shares gospel in changing room speech
Sun May 25 2025 by Lydia Davies

The captain of Crystal Palace football team shared the Gospel with his team in the changing rooms after winning the FA Cup.

In a viral video, Joel Ward, 35, can be heard saying: “Something that I hold dearly is obviously my faith. In Jeremiah 29:11: it talks about how God has a plan and a purpose for our lives.

“You may not believe... but personally I believe that everyone here is here for a reason and we do all have a purpose in our lives.”

He went on to say: “You’re a special group of guys and I believe this group can achieve incredible things.”

The video was shared to the Instagram page Ballers in God, which has over half a million followers.

One user commented: “It’s beautiful to see the work of God in Palace... clearly God is at the centre of their success.”

Ward will officially step down as Captain this Summer, after 13 years with the club.

https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/crystal-palace-captain-shares-gospel

🚨Taiwo Awoniyi scores for Nottingham Forest and Lifts up Jesus on his shin pads🙌 pic.twitter.com/PmQ5FlbChk

— GodlyVibez Studios (@GVStudios_TV) April 13, 2026