•Marc Guehi
Crystal Palace defender and captain Marc Guehi has explained why he added a personal message to his Rainbow Laces captain’s armband.
Over the weekend, all 20 Premier League club captains wore the Rainbow Laces armband as part of the league’s efforts to promote inclusivity.
While most complied, there were two exceptions rooted in personal beliefs.
Ipswich Town’s Egyptian Muslim captain, Jack Morsy, chose not to participate, wearing a standard Premier League armband during their match against Nottingham Forest.
Guehi, however, embraced the campaign but personalised his armband by writing “Jesus loves you” on it with a black felt-tip pen.
The gesture sparked mixed reactions, with some critics suggesting Guehi’s actions might lead to disciplinary measures from the Premier League.
However, it has since been confirmed that the defender will not face any punishment for his decision.
Addressing the backlash, the 24-year-old England international issued a statement defending his actions:
“It was just a message of truth and love and inclusivity. I don’t think the message was harmful in any way—that’s all I can really say about that, to be honest,” said Guehi.
He further emphasised the importance of his faith, stating: “I believe 100% in the words that I wrote. Even what I’ve just said now, it’s a message of truth and love, and I hope people can understand that my faith is my faith, and I’ll stand by it for the rest of my life.”
