Mark McAdam claims footballer ‘who wouldn’t support LGBTQ+’ equality cheats on his wife ‘every week’

Mark McAdam claims via Twitter this week that a footballer ‘who wouldn’t support LGBTQ+’ equality cheats on his wife ‘every week’.

The Sky Sports presenter who publicly came out as gay in 2014, has made claims on social media about an unnamed footballer who, according to McAdam, does not support LGBTQ+ equality due to religious beliefs.

McAdam tweeted: “Why do we need a Rainbow Laces campaign.

“Club supports Rainbow Laces.

“Replies.

“That’s why we need a Rainbow Laces campaign.”

He added: “Recent events have reminded me of another player who wouldn’t support LGBTQ+ equality because of his religious beliefs.

“It’s funny though, because those same religious beliefs allowed him to cheat on his wife every week.”

This statement came in the context of recent events where Premier League captains were encouraged to wear rainbow armbands to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion as part of Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign.

Making headlines this week, Ipswich Town’s captain Sam Morsy who was the only caption at the weekend who chose not to wear the armband, citing his religious beliefs.

Why do we need a Rainbow Laces campaign.

Club supports Rainbow Laces.

Replies.

That’s why we need a Rainbow Laces campaign.

— Mark McAdam (@markmcadamtv) December 3, 2024

Recent events have reminded me of another player who wouldn’t support LGBTQ+ equality because of his religious beliefs.

It’s funny though, because those same religious beliefs allowed him to cheat on his wife every week.

— Mark McAdam (@markmcadamtv) December 3, 2024

McAdam’s comments were in response to a debate over individual choice versus collective support for inclusivity initiatives in football.

Ex-Crystal Palace owner and current talkSPORT pundit Simon Jordan came across Mark McAdam’s tweet, saying in reply: “I have to say I really don’t know who this sky presenter thinks he is..

“Because it doesn’t support your narrative , you make this kind of commentary ..

“People have a right to choose not be forced into supporting an initiative .. btw football has a zero tolerance policy already!”

Ipswich’s Sam Morsy chose not to wear the rainbow armband during Saturday’s match against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground or during Tuesday’s clash with Crystal Palace at Portman Road, because of his religious beliefs as a practising Muslim.

Ipswich maintained they are “committed to being a fully inclusive club that welcomes everyone” in a statement released on Monday.

Then on Tuesday evening, Crystal Palace skipper, Marc Guehi, wore the rainbow armband as he did against Newcastle on Saturday, but came under fire after he wrote the words “I love Jesus” on it.

I have to say I really don’t know who this sky presenter thinks he is..

Because it doesn’t support your narrative , you make this kind of commentary ..

People have a right to choose not be forced into supporting an iniative .. btw football has a zero tolerance policy already ! https://t.co/MUWjFO4U1O

— Simon Jordan (@Sjopinion10) December 4, 2024

His actions prompted the Football Association (FA) to ‘formally remind’ his club that the appearance on, or incorporation in, any item of clothing, football boots or other equipment of any religious message is prohibited under Rule A4 of the FA’s kit and advertising regulations.

However, the FA chose not to charge Guehi, with reports adding that the FA wouldn’t be taking any formal action against Guehi for his latest message.

Watch. Smile. Laugh. Love. Enjoy!

Just be kind. To everyone.

I took @therealgokwan to football for @SkySportsNews ! His first ever football match, and this is how it went… pic.twitter.com/JzfUtxupHk

— Mark McAdam (@markmcadamtv) December 4, 2024

Marc Guehi’s father defended his son after he was reprimanded by the FA for writing “I love Jesus” on his rainbow captain’s armband.

Guehi’s father, a church minister father, accuses the Football Association of promoting double standards after the Ipswich player was not punished.

He told the Daily Mail: “I am saying did he offend anyone? I don’t think so. I do believe in what the Bible says, Jesus loves everyone, and, in my opinion, Marc did not offend anyone with what he wrote. Jesus loved everyone therefore by saying ‘I love Jesus’ on his armband I really don’t see what is offensive and what the problem is.

“If you look at what the LGBT community are doing, they are trying to impose on others what they believe in, it’s belief against belief, but at the end of the day everyone has the right to an opinion.

“But if that opinion’s aim is to offend you then there is a problem but if my opinion is just to express what I feel then I think that is fine and I don’t think what Marc wrote on that armband is offensive. He is talking about him, he loves Jesus and like I said he didn’t refuse to wear that armband, like Morsy, people should pay more attention to the person who refused to wear it.”

Guehi’s father insisted that his son did the right thing by choosing to wear the rainbow armband and writing his words on it were his way of trying to “balance the message” and claimed he “doesn’t see what is offensive.”

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner meanwhile says the club will continue to “respect” Marc Guehi after the captain’s rainbow armband controversy.

“We respect every single player, especially Marc, who is our captain,” Glasner said following Tuesday’s game. “He is a great guy, very humble and we shouldn’t make it bigger than it is, he is very respectful to everyone in the club.

“In football we are all against discrimination, it’s a great campaign. We spoke about it, we speak often as he is my captain.

“He is no child, he is an adult, he has his opinion and we accept and respect every opinion. The quote of this campaign is to be tolerant and Marc is very tolerant.”