Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi has avoided formal action from the Football Association (FA) following his decision to display a religious message on a rainbow-themed captain’s armband during two recent matches. Guehi, a devout Christian, had written “Jesus loves you” on his armband in Crystal Palace’s 1-0 win against Ipswich Town on Tuesday and a similar message, “I Love Jesus,” in their earlier draw against Newcastle United on Saturday.
The rainbow armbands are part of the Rainbow Laces campaign, a Premier League initiative supporting LGBTQ+ inclusion in football, organized by Stonewall. While the FA prohibits religious, political, or personal messages on kit, it opted not to issue a punishment, instead reminding Guehi of the rules.
The controversy began when Guehi personalized his rainbow armband during the Newcastle match with “I Love Jesus,” a clear display of his faith. Despite being warned that such messages are against FA regulations, he repeated a similar gesture in the Ipswich game, writing, “Jesus [heart symbol] You.”
On Wednesday, the FA confirmed that Guehi would face no disciplinary action but noted that he had been reminded of the policy regarding messages on football kit. This measured response reflects the FA’s attempt to address the matter without escalating tensions or alienating any party involved.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner stood firmly by Guehi, emphasizing the defender’s character and respect for others. Glasner urged for calm, asking that the situation not be blown out of proportion:
“Marc is our captain and he had a fantastic game. Everybody who knows Marc knows he is a great guy and very humble. We shouldn’t make it bigger than it is. Keep it calm.”
Glasner further highlighted that Guehi’s actions align with the campaign’s core message of tolerance and respect:
“We are all against discrimination and abuse. It [Rainbow Laces] is a great campaign… Marc is an adult with his own opinion, and we respect that. This is the quote of the campaign—being tolerant. Marc is very tolerant.”
Marc Guehi’s decision to personalize his rainbow armband and the FA’s subsequent response serve as a reminder of the complexities surrounding inclusivity initiatives in football. While the Rainbow Laces campaign continues to champion equality and respect, incidents like these underscore the importance of fostering dialogue to ensure that diverse perspectives are accommodated without compromising the campaign’s mission.
For now, Guehi and Crystal Palace can move forward, united in their commitment to respect, tolerance, and the shared love of the game.