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Ipswich Town captain Sam Morsy has declined to wear the Premier League’s rainbow armband for the second time in three days, citing his religious beliefs as a practising Muslim.
The controversy deepened as Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi wrote religious messages on his armband during both matches, despite receiving an FA reprimand.
Guehi, who had written ‘I love Jesus’ during Saturday’s match against Newcastle, followed up with ‘Jesus loves you’ in Tuesday night’s clash at Portman Road.
The two players’ contrasting approaches to the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign have highlighted ongoing tensions between religious expression and LGBTQ+ initiatives in football.
Marc Guehi risks the wrath of the FA yet again
Reuters
Morsy, 33, first opted out of wearing the rainbow armband during Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest.
The Ipswich skipper maintained his stance for Tuesday night’s match against Crystal Palace.
Ipswich Town released a statement supporting both their captain’s choice and the Premier League’s campaign, saying: “We proudly support the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign and stand with the LGBTQ+ community in promoting equality and acceptance.”
The club detailed their involvement in LGBTQ+ initiatives, including first-team players visiting their Foundation’s weekly LGBTQ+ football session.
“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,” the statement concluded.
Guehi, an England international and devout Christian, first drew attention by writing ‘I love Jesus’ on his armband during Palace’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle on Saturday.
The FA formally reprimanded him for modifying the armband.
Despite the warning, Guehi chose to write ‘Jesus loves you’ on his armband during Tuesday night’s match.
The Palace defender, whose father John is a church minister, was one of only two Premier League captains to deviate from the standard Rainbow Laces campaign protocol.
The remaining 18 Premier League captains all wore unmodified rainbow armbands in support of the LGBTQ+ initiative.
Marc Guehi had a new message on his armband this time, which read ‘Jesus [hearts] you’
Reuters
John Guehi, Marc’s father, strongly defended his son’s actions while criticising the FA’s approach.
“Marc did not offend anyone with what he wrote,” he told MailOnline. “Jesus loved everyone therefore by saying ‘I love Jesus’ on his armband I really don’t see what is offensive.”
He questioned why his son faced scrutiny while Morsy’s refusal drew less attention.
“Marc said ‘Yes’ and did the right thing by wearing it, but people are having a go at him for what he wrote,” he said.
“He accepted to wear the armband, he was just trying to balance the message.”
Ipswich captain Sam Morsy decided against wearing the rainbow armband due to his faith
PA
The church minister added: “Players are being used as spokespeople now.”
Previous cases of rainbow armband refusal have set precedent in English football.
Sheffield United’s Anel Ahmedhodzic became the first Premier League captain in seven years to decline wearing the rainbow armband last season.
The Bosnia-Herzegovina international provided no official explanation, responding only “Guess” when questioned by Swedish media SVT Sport.
Marc Guehi wrote ‘I [heart] Jesus’ on his armband during Palace’s match against Newcastle at the weekend
Reuters
Similar situations have occurred in European football, with Orkun Kokcu and Idrissa Gueye, then at Feyenoord and PSG respectively, both citing religious grounds for their refusal.
These incidents reflect an ongoing pattern of individual players choosing to opt out of rainbow armband initiatives across professional football.
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