Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi has clarified the message he wrote on his rainbow armband in a recent match, stating it was one of “truth and love and inclusivity.” The 24-year-old England centre-back faced scrutiny from the Football Association (FA) after ignoring a reminder about the regulations prohibiting religious messaging on football kits. Despite this, the FA has decided not to take formal action against Guehi or his club, Crystal Palace, after his expression of faith during the match against Newcastle United.
Guehi’s decision to write “I love Jesus” on his armband in support of the Premier League’s LGBTQ+ inclusion initiative, which involves wearing rainbow armbands in association with the charity Stonewall, drew attention. The Premier League encourages, but does not mandate, captains to wear these rainbow armbands as part of their ongoing commitment to inclusivity. However, Guehi’s religious message, written alongside the rainbow flag symbol, prompted a response from the FA, reminding him of their policy on religious messaging.
Despite this, Guehi doubled down on his message, explaining in an interview that it was driven by a desire to spread “truth, love, and inclusivity.” He emphasized that he did not intend to harm anyone with his message, believing firmly in the words he wrote. Guehi expressed that his faith and his belief in love, inclusivity, and truth were core to his identity, and he hoped people could understand and respect that.
“The message was just a message of truth and love and inclusivity, to be honest,” Guehi explained. “I don’t think the message was harmful in any way. 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.”
The FA’s rules prohibit any religious messaging on kits, including on armbands, boots, or other equipment. BBC Sport has confirmed that although the FA reminded Crystal Palace about the regulations, no formal action would be taken against Guehi or the club. This marks the second time Guehi has worn an armband with a religious message after writing “I love Jesus” for the match against Ipswich Town.
In the wider context, the incident has sparked discussions around inclusivity, religious expression, and the role of football in supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Ipswich captain Sam Morsy, for example, did not wear the rainbow armband in his team’s recent matches, citing his “religious beliefs” as the reason for his decision.
This ongoing debate has brought to light the tension between personal beliefs and the desire to support marginalized communities. Some critics, like former England international Lianne Sanderson, questioned why players, including captains, might feel uncomfortable in supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Sanderson argued that the inclusion of LGBTQ+ symbols, such as the rainbow armband, is not about forcing an agenda but rather about creating a safe space for all fans, particularly those who still feel uncomfortable at football games.
“The message is not about throwing anything down people’s throats,” Sanderson wrote on social media. “It’s about supporting a community and people that, for the most part, don’t feel comfortable at football games still now in 2024.”
As the conversation continues to evolve, Guehi’s decision to stand by his message highlights the ongoing balancing act between personal faith, inclusivity, and the regulations that govern the sport. Despite the FA’s reminders, Guehi remains steadfast in his belief that his message is one of truth and love and hopes that it can help bring about a more inclusive and understanding atmosphere in football. “Thanks to those players and captains that have supported anyway,” Sanderson added, underscoring the importance of solidarity and support for marginalized communities in the world of sports.
