FA make decision on charging Marc Guehi after he ignores warning with second message on rainbow armband

The Football Association (FA) has made a decision over charging Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi for ignoring its warning about writing on his rainbow armband.

Premier League captains have been asked to wear the armband as a show of support for LGBTQ+ inclusion, as part of Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign between November 29 and December 5.

Guehi wrote the phrase 'I love Jesus' on his armband for Saturday's 1-1 draw with Newcastle, prompting the FA to contact Palace to 'formally remind' them that the appearance on, or incorporation in, any item of clothing, football boots or other equipment of any religious message is prohibited under Rule A4 of the FA's kit and advertising regulations.

That Guehi chose to write a religious slogan on the armband supporting LGBTQ+ issues could potentially have been interpreted by the FA as an aggravating factor. However, English football's governing body opted not to charge him.

Despite receiving that warning from the FA, Guehi chose to write a second message on his captain's armband for Tuesday's 1-0 win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road.

The England international caused controversy after writing the phrase 'Jesus loves you' on the armband.

SPORTbible understands that the FA will not be taking any formal action against Guehi for his latest message, although it has reminded Crystal Palace of the kit regulations.

Rule A4 in full states: "The appearance on, or incorporation in, any item of clothing, football boots or other equipment of any distasteful, threatening, abusive, indecent, insulting, discriminatory or otherwise ethically or morally offensive message, or any political or religious message, is prohibited. The advertising of tobacco products is prohibited."

Ipswich captain Sam Morsy, a practising Muslim, chose not to wear the armband in the match against Palace due to his religious beliefs, having also refused to do so against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

Guehi's church minister father John has accused the FA of double standards after Morsy was not sent the same warning as the England defender.

He told the Daily Mail: "I am saying did he offend anyone? I don't think so. I do believe in what the Bible says, Jesus loves everyone, and, in my opinion, Marc did not offend anyone with what he wrote.

"Jesus loved everyone therefore by saying 'I love Jesus' on his armband I really don't see what is offensive and what the problem is.

Guehi wrote the message on his armband against Ipswich (Image: Getty)

"If you look at what the LGBT community are doing, they are trying to impose on others what they believe in, it's belief against belief, but at the end of the day everyone has the right to an opinion.

"But if that opinion's aim is to offend you then there is a problem but if my opinion is just to express what I feel then I think that is fine and I don't think what Marc wrote on that armband is offensive.

"He is talking about him, he loves Jesus and like I said he didn't refuse to wear that armband, like Morsy, people should pay more attention to the person who refused to wear it.

"Marc said 'Yes' and did the right thing by wearing it but people are having a go at him for what he wrote, he accepted to wear the armband, he was just trying to balance the message.

"He was saying' You gave me the armband, as a Christian I don't believe in your cause, but I will put it on' but Morsy didn't put it on because he said it was against his religion but more seems to be being said about Marc than him.

"We are so thick skinned in this country, God is everywhere in this country, and I know things change because of different beliefs but it is still a Christian country. Therefore, I don't see what is offensive.

"He is a devout Christian; the son of a church minister and he accepted to put the arm band on to welcome everyone in football but the problem we have now is that players are being used as spokespeople now."

A Stonewall spokesperson told SPORTbible: "It has been incredible to see so many football teams at all levels support our 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."