The father of England star Marc Guehi has slammed the FA after his son was reprimanded for writing ‘I love Jesus’ on his rainbow captain’s armband.
Guehi faces being formally reprimanded after breaching rules that ban any ‘political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images’ on players armbands when playing for Crystal Palace.
But his Church minister father has accused the FA of double standards after a Muslim player who refused to wear the armband was not punished – and claimed they are pandering to the demands of the LGBT community over Christians.
The 24-year-old defender was seen with 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 sanction.
Now Guehi’s church minister father John has fueled the row.
He told MailOnline: ‘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.
Marc Guehi faces being formally reprimanded by 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 forward and defended his son’s decision with the armband
‘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.
‘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.’
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 wearing it’
Guehi’s parents, who have supported the Palace star through his career, are devout Christians
And he blasted the decision to reprimand his son, saying: ‘The FA are happy for the crowd to sing God Save The King when England plays which mentions God and religion.
‘And they are happy to have the religious hymn Abide With Me during the cup final and yet they have a go at my son for expressing his beliefs. Where is the sense in that? What exactly has he done wrong?
‘This country is a Christian country, and we are reminded of that when we go into public building that have the royal court of arms which has the words Dieu et mon droit (God and my right).
‘I back my son for what he did, he’s my son and of course I stand with him. I don’t see anything wrong in the message that was on his armband, do you? I haven’t had a chance to speak with him yet about it.
‘I am a church minister and a devout Christian and so is Marc, he didn’t refuse to wear the rainbow arm band so where is the problem? Morsy refused to wear the armband, but my son didn’t, he wore it.
‘I don’t know fully what’s going on because I haven’t spoken to Marc and so we don’t know but I don’t think it’s fair he should be singled out just for showing his religious beliefs.’
Mr Guehi added:’ Like I said I am a church minister, and I will always support my son in whatever he does. I had to drive him all over the country when he started playing football and I will always support him.’
Mail Sport understands that Ipswich captain Sam Morsy will not be punished after refusing to wear the armband, part of a campaign supporting the LGBTQ+ community, because of his religious beliefs.
Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy refused to wear a rainbow armband during his side’s 1-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest on religious grounds
Guehi’s father mentioned how Morsy was not reprimanded for refusing to wear it
As his refusal was not a rule breach – unlike Guehi’s message – the matter with him is deemed to be one for the club, rather than governing bodies.
But Guehi altering the arm band is recorded as a rule breach so he does face a reprimand.
Guehi has spoken before in the past how his faith plays an important part in his life.
Speaking to The Athletic, he said: ‘I’ve grown up loving God and when I have had the chance I still go to church with my family, and my faith is definitely a big part of my life.
‘Faith is everything that I’m involved with, really; even in football, where I’m trying to be a role model and show God’s graciousness and God’s glory through my life.’
His dad’s role with the church caused a scheduling drama during the Euros, after he took a service in Lewisham on the day of England’s clash against Serbia.
Guehi admitted that ‘God comes first’ and that he expected his father to be at the service rather than his match.
Guehi admitted: ‘Usually God comes first. I’d expect him to be at church but he could turn up, I don’t know. I’ll have to message him later to ask.’
A spokesperson for LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall did not condemn the actions of either player
A spokesperson for national LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall did not condemn the actions of either player.
They said: ‘It has been incredible to see so many football teams at all levels support our Rainbow Laces 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.’