Marc Guehi defies FA warning with 'Jesus loves you' message on rainbow armband as Sam Morsy again opts out of LGBTQ+ symbol on religious grounds during Ipswich vs Crystal Palace

To show support for the LGBTQ+ community, players have been wearing rainbow laces, clubs have put up rainbow corner flags, and captains have worn rainbow armbands over the past week. In Palace's 1-1 draw with Newcastle United at the weekend, devout Christian Guehi added the words "I love Jesus" on his armband - prompting the FA to remind him that any religious message on a player's kit is prohibited. Despite that, the England international then changed the words to "Jesus loves you" for Palace's trip to Ipswich Town on Tuesday.

While Guehi wore the armband, Ipswich skipper Morsy was the Premier League's only captain over the weekend not to wear the rainbow armband as his side lost to Nottingham Forest. The midfielder, a practising Muslim, cited "religious beliefs" for his actions and the armband was not in sight again for the Palace match. Though Morsy avoided sanctioning as his decision to simply forgo the armband was personal, Guehi may now face further punishment.

Football's laws allow slogans that 'promote the game of football, respect and integrity' but 'political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images' are not permitted. The rules state: "For any offence the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association or by FIFA.”

It remains to be seen what will happen to Guehi, whose father is a minister, and Morsy for their actions. Incidentally, Ipswich put out a statement respecting their player's right to not wear the armband, while saying they "proudly support the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign and stand with the LGBTQ+ community".