Marc Guehi, the FA and freedom of choice.
When the president of the Football Association, Prince William, succeeds his father as King he automatically becomes Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Heaven knows what he’d make of the almighty mess the FA has got itself into in its treatment of Marc Guehi for his “I ❤️Jesus” and “Jesus ❤️ U” messages on his rainbow armband. At Christmas, too.
No formal action will be taken against Guehi by the FA, which will remind his club, Crystal Palace, about kit regulations. Good. The thought of a ban for Guehi, who’d ignored the FA’s first warning, would have been ridiculous. I’m not particularly religious but take a passing interest having been confirmed in Westminster Abbey and with a revered brother who is a renowned Islamic scholar and Imam. I respect different faiths. Guehi’s words about loving Jesus have been described as “slogans” which is disrespectful in itself. They’re declarations from the heart. They’re the deeply-held beliefs of the Crystal Palace captain.
His father’s a pastor and Guehi has often spoken on England duty about the importance of God in his life. FA officials sit alongside Guehi as he mentions his faith, talks proudly about still playing the drums at his church in Lewisham, and they nod approvingly. A player of quality, a man of morals. Guehi’s a contender behind Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice to take the England armband when Harry Kane steps down.
Guehi’s one of the most sensible, humble people you could meet, incredibly respectful of others, an established England international and a role model the FA should be celebrating. All of this comes down to respect, and the FA should respect Guehi’s beliefs. If the FA had charged Guehi it would have been mauled by the critics and mocked by fans and players. What next? Charging Arsenal’s No 9?