Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi will not be charged by the Football Association for writing “I love Jesus” on his rainbow-coloured captain’s armband.
The hand-written religious message was spotted on Guehi’s armband in Palace’s 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle on Saturday.
This weekend all 20 Premier League captains were issued with rainbow-coloured armbands for Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, which supports the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
It was feared Guehi, a devout Christian, could face a charge if the FA felt he had fallen foul of their laws by writing a religious messages — “I love Jesus” — on an armband intended to support LGBTQ+ issues.
However, it is now understood that rather than charging Guehi, the FA will contact the 24-year-old to remind him that religious messaging is banned from equipment used or worn in Premier League matches.
The Laws of the Game forbid players from making or wearing “political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images”.
Law 4 explains that “any offence the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA.”
Of the 20 captains, only Ipswich skipper Sam Morsy refused to wear the armband. Morsy, a practising Muslim, cited religious reasons as his explanation for instead opting for the standard black armband.
Ipswich subsequently released a statement insisting they “welcome everybody” while also “respect[ing] the decision” of Morsy not to wear the rainbow armband.
The Stonewall armbands are set to be used again during the Premier League’s midweek fixtures this week. Palace face Ipswich at Portman Road on Tuesday.
Standard Sport approached Crystal Palace, the FA and the Premier League for comment.
