John Guehi, the father of England and Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi, has criticized the Football Association (FA) after his son faced disciplinary action for writing "I love Jesus" on his LGBT pride armband. The 24-year-old was reprimanded for breaching rules that prohibit players from displaying "political, religious, or personal slogans" on their armbands during matches.
Guehi's handwritten message appeared during the 1-1 draw between Crystal Palace and Newcastle, sparking controversy. His father, a church minister, accused the FA of double standards after Muslim player Sam Morsy, who refused to wear the pride armband on religious grounds, was not sanctioned. Guehi's father argued that his son's message was not offensive and expressed his support for Marc's decision to wear the armband while balancing his Christian beliefs.
Speaking to MailOnline, John Guehi stated, "Jesus loved everyone, and in my opinion, Marc did not offend anyone with what he wrote." He emphasized that Marc's statement was a personal expression of his faith, not an attempt to target or criticize others. He also pointed out that Morsy's refusal to wear the armband seemed to receive less attention.
John Guehi questioned the inconsistency in the FA's approach, pointing to the presence of religious references in English football, such as the national anthem "God Save The King" and the hymn "Abide With Me" at the FA Cup final. He expressed his frustration with the FA's decision, stating, "Where is the sense in that? What exactly has he done wrong?"
The church minister reinforced his unwavering support for his son, adding, "I will always support him, and I don't think it's fair that he should be singled out for showing his religious beliefs."
Despite the backlash, Marc Guehi has yet to comment publicly on the issue. His father's defense has sparked a wider debate about the intersection of religion, politics, and personal beliefs in sports.
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