How rigid should football's rules be on expressions of religion?
Marc Guehi's armband would plunge the FA into a religious row and lead it to be accused of suppressing Christian expression.
Tuesday 3 December 2024 23:42, UK
Three weeks before Christmas, the Football Association (FA) could have to sanction a player's devotion to Jesus.
There is little wriggle room having already formally reminded Crystal Palace player Marc Guehi that the laws of football were being breached by writing "I love Jesus" on his captain's armband during a Premier League match on Saturday.
The request to keep the armband free of religious messaging was ignored.
A similar message appeared on Guehi's armband for Palace's match at Ipswich tonight - "Jesus loves you".
There was no immediate comment from the FA, which could now have to charge Guehi.
That would undoubtedly plunge the governing body into a religious row and be accused of suppressing Christian expression.
But overlooking the rule breach is challenging given the FA has the privileged position of upholding the laws of football among the eight voters on the 138-year-old IFAB panel.
Complicating the matter is the fact the religious slogan did not appear on a standard-issue armband.
Special rainbow armbands for LGBTQ+ inclusion activism have been handed out by the Premier League to captains to wear during last weekend's matches and this midweek fixture programme.
Players are not mandated to wear them.
And Guehi's opposing captain on Tuesday night - Ipswich's Sam Morsy - opted against wearing the rainbow-coloured garment as a practising Muslim.
The club backed the religious stance after Morsy went with the regular version in their weekend match.
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The Egypt international can face no FA disciplinary action. But Guehi will be waiting to find out the FA's next move.
It is one of the more problematic matters for the Wembley disciplinary department to consider.
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How rigid should football's rules be on expressions of religious allegiance? Even as stadiums, where matches are being played, prepare to mark Christmas.