Marc Guehi escapes FA charge after breaking strict Premier League rule with rainbow armband message
England defender Marc Guehi will escape any FA punishment for writing ‘I love Jesus’ on his rainbow-coloured captain’s armband, talkSPORT understands. The FA are expected to contact Guehi to remind the Crystal Palace centre-back that religious messaging is banned. Guehi wrote ‘I love Jesus’ on his rainbow captain’s armbandGetty Devout Christian Guehi risked an FA charge after he scribbled the three-word statement on his armband before scoring an own goal in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle. All Premier League clubs were given a special rainbow armband to wear to promote Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign. According to the International Football Association Board (IFAB), ‘initiative slogans/emblems promoting the game of football, respect and integrity’ are permitted. However, it is forbidden to have ‘political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images’ written anywhere. Last summer, a modification to Law 4 made it clear all captains ‘must wear an armband which is simple and conforms to the requirements of Law 4 relating to slogans, statements, images and advertising.’ Should any player or captain fall foul of the laws, ‘the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA.’ The Football Association’s (FA) kit rules also outline ‘the appearance on, or incorporation in, any item of clothing … any political or religious message’ is forbidden and ‘disciplinary action’ could be taken for any breach of the rule. Guehi’s controversial statement on the rainbow armband comes in the wake of Ipswich Town‘s Sam Morsy being the only Premier League captain not to wear the rainbow armband last weekend. Morsy, who is a practising Muslim, wore the regular captain’s armband instead. “Ipswich Town Football Club is committed to being a fully inclusive club that welcomes everyone,” an Ipswich statement released on Monday read. The Crystal Palace skipper could now be in hot water over the message he wrote on the armbandGetty “At the same time, we respect the decision of our captain Sam Morsy, who has chosen not to wear the rainbow captain’s armband due to his religious beliefs. “We will continue to grow an environment where all are valued and respected, both on and off the pitch.” It is not the first time a Premier League captain has opted not to wear the rainbow armband. Last season, Sheffield United’s Anel Ahmedhodzic elected to wear the regular captain’s armband during the Blades’ loss to Liverpool. When asked by Swedish publication SVT Sport why he didn’t wear it, Ahmedhodzic offered a cryptic response: “Guess”. In the prior fixture against Burnley, Oliver Norwood captained Sheffield United and wore the rainbow armband. Ahmedhodzic chose not to wear the rainbow armband last seasonCameraSport via Getty The Premier League first introduced the Rainbow Laces campaign in 2013 and takes centre stage for rounds 13 and 14 this term. Along with the rainbow armbands, the Premier League provides rainbow corner flags, handshake boards and ball plinths to further promote the Rainbow Laces campaign. Premier League Match Odds with talkSPORT BET Tuesday, December 3 Ipswich 9/5 – Draw 23/10 – Crystal Palace 7/5 Leicester 17/10 – Draw 5/2 – West Ham 11/8 Wednesday, December 4 Everton 11/10 – Draw 12/5 – Wolves 23/10 Man City 1/3 – Draw 19/5 – Nottm Forest 15/2 Newcastle 3/1 – Draw 29/10 – Liverpool 3/4 Southampton 6/1– Draw 4/1 – Chelsea 4/11 Arsenal 4/9 – Draw 17/5 – West Ham 11/2 Aston Villa 3/4– Draw 29/10 – Brentford 3/1 Thursday, December 5 Fulham 5/4 – Draw 5/2 – Brighton 15/8 Bournemouth 31/20 – Draw 14/5 – Tottenham 11/8 *odds subject to change, 18+ gambleaware.org Offer of the Week talkSPORT BET – Bet £10 get £30 in free bets* CLAIM HERE 18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10+ via mobile on any football market at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 6x £5 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly Check out all the best free bets and betting offers from talkSPORT and our partners
England defender Marc Guehi will escape any FA punishment for writing ‘I love Jesus’ on his rainbow-coloured captain’s armband, talkSPORT understands.
The FA are expected to contact Guehi to remind the Crystal Palace centre-back that religious messaging is banned.
Devout Christian Guehi risked an FA charge after he scribbled the three-word statement on his armband before scoring an own goal in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle.
All Premier League clubs were given a special rainbow armband to wear to promote Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign.
According to the International Football Association Board (IFAB), ‘initiative slogans/emblems promoting the game of football, respect and integrity’ are permitted.
However, it is forbidden to have ‘political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images’ written anywhere.
Last summer, a modification to Law 4 made it clear all captains ‘must wear an armband which is simple and conforms to the requirements of Law 4 relating to slogans, statements, images and advertising.’
Should any player or captain fall foul of the laws, ‘the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA.’
The Football Association’s (FA) kit rules also outline ‘the appearance on, or incorporation in, any item of clothing … any political or religious message’ is forbidden and ‘disciplinary action’ could be taken for any breach of the rule.
Guehi’s controversial statement on the rainbow armband comes in the wake of Ipswich Town‘s Sam Morsy being the only Premier League captain not to wear the rainbow armband last weekend.
Morsy, who is a practising Muslim, wore the regular captain’s armband instead.
“Ipswich Town Football Club is committed to being a fully inclusive club that welcomes everyone,” an Ipswich statement released on Monday read.
“At the same time, we respect the decision of our captain Sam Morsy, who has chosen not to wear the rainbow captain’s armband due to his religious beliefs.
“We will continue to grow an environment where all are valued and respected, both on and off the pitch.”
It is not the first time a Premier League captain has opted not to wear the rainbow armband.
Last season, Sheffield United’s Anel Ahmedhodzic elected to wear the regular captain’s armband during the Blades’ loss to Liverpool.
When asked by Swedish publication SVT Sport why he didn’t wear it, Ahmedhodzic offered a cryptic response: “Guess”.
In the prior fixture against Burnley, Oliver Norwood captained Sheffield United and wore the rainbow armband.
The Premier League first introduced the Rainbow Laces campaign in 2013 and takes centre stage for rounds 13 and 14 this term.
Along with the rainbow armbands, the Premier League provides rainbow corner flags, handshake boards and ball plinths to further promote the Rainbow Laces campaign.
Premier League Match Odds with talkSPORT BET
Tuesday, December 3
Wednesday, December 4
- Everton 11/10 – Draw 12/5 – Wolves 23/10
- Man City 1/3 – Draw 19/5 – Nottm Forest 15/2
- Newcastle 3/1 – Draw 29/10 – Liverpool 3/4
- Southampton 6/1– Draw 4/1 – Chelsea 4/11
- Arsenal 4/9 – Draw 17/5 – West Ham 11/2
- Aston Villa 3/4– Draw 29/10 – Brentford 3/1
Thursday, December 5
*odds subject to change, 18+ gambleaware.org
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18+ New customers only. Opt in & bet £10+ via mobile on any football market at 2.00+ odds within 7 days. No Cash out. Get 6x £5 Free Bets on selected markets. Free bets expire in 7 days. Card payments & Apple Pay only. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
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