The Premier League wants to set an example with a campaign against homophobia. Because a player wrote on the rainbow captain’s armband, there was an official reprimand. Ultimately, however, the bandage was no longer allowed to be worn.
Professional footballer Marc Guehi from Premier League club Crystal Palace has been asked by the English Association (FA) not to label the captain’s armband in rainbow colors. Guehi, who says he is deeply religious, wrote “I love Jesus” on his armband before the home game against Crystal Palace last Saturday, which caused controversy.
Under FA rules, religious messages are prohibited on any clothing, football boots or equipment worn at matches. However, Guehi did not receive a penalty for the action. The rainbow captain’s armband is part of a Premier League campaign this week to take a stand against homophobia.
Ipswich Town’s Sam Morsy caused a stir at the weekend when he refused to wear the captain’s armband during the game against Nottingham Forest. The Egyptian Morsy gave religious reasons. He wore a solid colored armband instead. The FA said it would not take any action.
Rainbow ties are always a theme
The piece of fabric in rainbow colors has repeatedly caused discussions in the past. At the end of October, the topic hit the headlines again in German football.
National player and captain Alexandra Popp ran onto the pitch in her 145th and final international match with a rainbow armband on her arm, but after referee Maria Marotta intervened, she took it off and replaced it with a black, red and gold one.
In her veto, the referee from Italy cited Fifa rules, according to which the armband must either have a dominant color or be designed in the national colors.
Apparently nobody was interested in the 4-3 win in England a few days earlier. Popp’s successor Giulia Gwinn wore the rainbow armband without anyone being bothered by it.
lol
