Marc Guehi’s father had responded to the Football Association (FA), as the Crystal Palace skipper decided to write “I love Jesus” on his rainbow-coloured captain’s armband for the second consecutive game.
Guehi, 24, chose to write the message on his armband, which he wore during Palace’s Premier League match against Newcastle United on Saturday and during tonight’s fixture against Ipswich Town.
The FA chose to remind Palace and Guehi of the rules but did not issue any disciplinary actions, according to BBC Sport.
Guehi’s father, a Church minister, gave his thoughts in an interview with Mail.
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“I am saying did he offend anyone?” said Guehi’s father John.
“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.”
“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 explained.
“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,” added the father of Palace’s captain.
The multi-coloured armbands are being worn by Premier League captains to show their support for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport by taking part in the charity Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign between 29 November and 5 December.
Although Guehi was one of the 19 captains who wore the armband last weekend, Ipswich skipper Sam Morsy chose not to during the Tractor Boys' match against Nottingham Forest on Saturday and again in tonight's clash with Palace.
Earlier on Tuesday, the FA confirmed to SPORTbible that Morsy's refusal to wear the armband does not amount to a breach of its kit and advertising regulations, and therefore, the Ipswich captain is not at risk of being charged.
Ipswich Football Club also voiced their commitment to "being a fully inclusive club that welcomes everyone”.
Topics: Premier League, Football, FA
Luke Davies