The father of England star Marc Guehi has criticized the FA after his son was reprimanded for writing ‘I love Jesus’ on his rainbow captain’s armband.
Guehi faces a formal reprimand after breaching rules banning “political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images” on players’ armbands while playing for Crystal Palace.
But his church pastor father has accused the FA of double standards after a Muslim player who refused to wear the armband was not punished – claiming he was caving to the LGBT community’s demands over Christians.
The 24-year-old defender was seen wearing the handwritten slogan during the 1-1 draw against Newcastle on Saturday, while fellow Premier League skipper Ipswich Town’s Sam Morsy refused to wear the pride armband due to religious beliefs but escaped sanctions.
Now Guehi’s pastor, Father John, has fueled the feud.
He told MailOnline: ‘I say: has he offended anyone? I don’t think so. I really believe in what the Bible says: Jesus loves everyone, and in my opinion Marc did not offend anyone with what he wrote.
Marc Guehi faces a formal reprimand from the FA after writing on his rainbow armband
The Crystal Palace star scribbled ‘I love Jesus’ on his armband against Newcastle on Saturday
Guehi’s father John (left) has come out defending his son’s decision with the bracelet
“Jesus loved everyone, so by saying ‘I love Jesus’ on his bracelet I really don’t see what is offensive and what the problem is.
‘If you look at what the LGBT community does, they try to impose what they believe on others. It’s faith against faith, but ultimately everyone is entitled to an opinion.
“But if the purpose of that opinion is to offend you then there is a problem, but if my opinion is just to express what I feel then that’s fine with me and I don’t think what Marc on that bracelet wrote is offensive.
“He’s talking about him, he loves Jesus and like I said, he refused to wear that bracelet. 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 attacking him for what he wrote. He accepted to wear the bracelet, he was just trying to balance the message.
“He said, ‘You gave me the bracelet, 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 there seems to be more People say more about Marc than about him.
“We have such thick skin 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 preacher and he accepted to put on the armband to welcome everyone to football, but the problem we have now is that players are now being used as spokespeople.”
The England international comes from a religious household, with his father being a minister
Guehi’s father, John, insisted the England international ‘did the right thing by carrying him’
Guehi’s parents, who have supported the Palace star throughout his career, are devout Christians
And he slammed the decision to reprimand his son, saying: ‘The FA are happy to see the crowd singing God Save The King when England play which mentions God and religion.
‘And they are happy with the religious hymn Abide With Me during the cup final and yet they attack my son for expressing his faith. Where’s the point of that? What exactly did he do wrong?
‘This country is a Christian country, and we are reminded of that when we enter a public building where the Royal Arms of Arms stands with the words Dieu et mon droit (God and my right).
‘I support my son for what he has done, he is my son and of course I support him. I don’t see anything wrong with the message on his bracelet, do you? I haven’t had a chance to talk to him about it yet.
‘I am a preacher and a devout Christian, and so is Marc. He didn’t refuse to wear the rainbow bracelet, so where’s the problem? Morsy refused to wear the bracelet, but not my son, he wore it.
‘I don’t really know what’s going on because I haven’t spoken to Marc so we don’t know, but I don’t think it’s fair that he should be taken out just for showing his religious beliefs. ‘
Mr Guehi added: “As I said, I am a church minister and I will always support my son in whatever he does. I had to drive him across the country when he started playing football and I will always support him.’
Mail Sport understands Ipswich captain Sam Morsy will not be punished after refusing to wear the armband, part of a campaign in support of the LGBTQ+ community, due to his religious beliefs.
Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy refused to wear a rainbow armband during his side’s 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest for religious reasons.
Guehi’s father said Morsy was not reprimanded for refusing to wear it
Because his refusal was not a rule violation – contrary to Guehi’s message – the matter with him is considered a matter for the club, and not the governing bodies.
But Guehi changing the armband is recorded as a rule violation, so he does get a reprimand.
Guehi has said in the past that his faith plays an important role in his life.
Speaking to The Athletic, he said: ‘I grew up loving God and when I’ve had the chance I still go to church with my family, and my faith is definitely a big part of my life.
‘Faith is actually all that concerns me; even in football, where I try to be a role model and show God’s grace and glory through my life.’
His father’s role at the church caused a scheduling drama during the European Championship after he attended a service in Lewisham on the day of England’s match against Serbia.
Guehi admitted that “God comes first” and that he expected his father to be in the service rather than to be his equal.
Guehi admitted, “Most of the time, God comes first. I expected him to be at church, but he might show up, I don’t know. I’ll have to message him later to ask.”
A spokesperson for LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall did not condemn either player’s actions
A spokesperson for national LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall did not condemn either player’s actions.
They said: ‘It was incredible to see so many football teams at all levels supporting our Rainbow Laces campaign to make sport safer and more inclusive for everyone.
‘When we see clubs showing 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 whether and how they show their support for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports.”