Marc Guehi claims religious message during LGBTQ+ campaign is one of “inclusivity”

Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi sparked controversy last week after writing religious phrases on his rainbow captain’s armband, used as part of a Premier League LGBTQ+ initiative. Last week, all PL captains were encouraged (although not required to wear) a rainbow armband, in order to show support for the LGBTQ+ community, as a result of a joint initiative with charity, Stonewall.

During both of the club’s games last week, Guehi chose to wear the rainbow armband, but decided to write ‘I love Jesus’ and ‘Jesus loves you’ on his rainbow armband, in order to show support for his religious faith.

Guehi affirmed that this was instead a message of ‘truth and love and inclusivity’

When asked about his decision to include this messaging, which many believed to be a protest against the LGBTQ+ community, Guehi affirmed that this was instead a message of “truth and love and inclusivity,” explaining that, “I don’t think the message was harmful in any way”. The defender chose not to elaborate much more on the subject, except to say that he “hope(s) people can understand that my faith is my faith, and I’ll stand by it for the rest of my life”.

After the match against Newcastle, the club were gently reminded by the FA about its rules regarding this topic, which forbid the “appearance on, or incorporation in, any item of clothing, football boots or other equipment of any religious message.” Despite this warning, Guehi still chose to include another message 3 days later, but the FA have still not chosen to take any formal action against the club, who have been once again reminded of the regulations which they are expected to follow.

He’s an adult… like every one of us, and he has his opinion. And we accept and respect every opinion

In a press conference after the club’s 1-0 victory away at Portman Road, Palace manager, Oliver Glasner was asked for his opinion on the defender’s choices, for which he offered total support- “He’s an adult… like every one of us, and he has his opinion. And we accept and respect every opinion.”

Not all reactions have been so supportive, however, with former Lioness, Lianne Sanderson criticising those players who chose not to show their support for the community. Sanderson took to social media, stating, “we wonder why we have no active PL player that feels comfortable enough to be open with their sexuality, when their captain can’t even wear an armband”.

Guehi was not the only player who made the headlines regarding this subject, with Ipswich Town captain, Sam Morsy completely refusing to wear the rainbow armband due to his “religious beliefs”. Equally, Manchester United scrapped plans for their squad to wear jackets which showed support for the community, after one unnamed player refused to wear one.

The PL aims to ‘show support for all LGBT people in football and beyond’

This initiative comes as part of the Premier League’s collaboration with Stonewall as part of their Rainbow Laces campaign, which every year seeks to encourage the acceptance of those belonging to the LGBTQ+ community, both at the level of professionals and supporters, but equally among young people in grassroots teams or academy squads. The gesture of the rainbow armband is one of the many ways in which the PL aims to “show support for all LGBT people in football and beyond”. Whether or not Guehi’s gesture is one of support for this movement, or one of protest and disagreement, has very much been left up to public interpretation.