Crystal Palace Captain Defies FA Warning, Sparks Controversy With Religious Message On Rainbow Armband

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi has ignited a fresh controversy after defying a Football Association (FA) warning by displaying another religious message on his rainbow armband during Tuesday’s match against Ipswich Town.

The England international, who had previously inscribed “I love Jesus” on his armband in a game against Newcastle, chose to replace the word “love” with a heart symbol this time, resulting in the message “Jesus ❤️ You.”

This move comes despite the FA’s explicit reminder of its Rule A4, which prohibits players from displaying political, religious, or personal statements during matches.

The FA is now investigating Guéhi’s actions, with reports suggesting that the defender could face disciplinary measures, including fines or even suspension.

Guéhi’s decision to persist with his messages has drawn mixed reactions from the football community.

While some fans and faith-based groups have praised the player for standing firm in his beliefs, critics argue that his actions violate FA guidelines and undermine the intended inclusivity of the rainbow armband.

The rainbow armband, widely recognised as a symbol of support for the LGBTQ+ community, is part of football’s broader campaign to promote diversity and combat discrimination.

Guéhi’s alteration of the armband has been viewed by some as a distraction from this message, however, it is not clear if the footballer is against LGBTQ or not as investigation by FA is still underway.

Supporters of Guéhi see his actions as a courageous expression of faith.

Gerald Ugwu on facebook, wrote: “That club belongs somewhere him knows that for him to survive there without Jesus is impossible so I pray u will be victorious over all your accusers and all that trouble u shall be troubled in Jesus name and ur destiny must be fulfilled in Jesus name,”

Another fan, Kusegbe Mautin Joshua said, “Best way to describe his faith”

However, others have called for stricter enforcement of FA rules, with some arguing that personal beliefs should not overshadow campaigns aimed at fostering inclusion in football.

Pheebashimiyan Josephson remarked. “The message was clear, Jesus loves the LGBT. He doesn’t hate nobody. He only hates things do that are contrary to God’s instructions.”

If found in violation of FA regulations, Guéhi could face sanctions ranging from monetary fines to a match ban, which could impact his availability for upcoming games.

Crystal Palace has not yet commented on the incident, though it is expected the club will be part of any discussions with the FA regarding the matter.