One might wonder why Nations FC star Emmanuel Annor has received a reprimand from the Disciplinary Committee of the Ghana Football Association for a “harmless” incident.
The incident? Displaying a religious message on his inner t-shirt, confidently letting the world know that he “belongs to Jesus” after scoring the match-winning goal against Asante Kotoko in matchweek 28.
Perhaps a reprimand on religious display may be uncommon in this country because of how extremely religious her people are. Just as Nana Darkwa Gyasi once said, “No country is as religious as Italy,” but they adhere to FIFA’s rule of law.
Which of these Fifa laws justifies the Disciplinary Committee’s action? Section 5 of the IFAB law 4 prohibits any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images on players’ equipment (undergarment, boots, etc.).
Former Fifa Secretary General Jerome Valcke announced in 2014 just before the World Cup in Brazil: “From now on there can be no slogan or image whatsoever on undergarments, even good-natured ones.”
However, many come to the defence of players who are often found guilty by their respective FAs in breaching the law, questioning why LGBTQ+ agendas often termed “equal rights for all” or “Rainbow Laces”, are forced on players.
Emmanuel Annor has responded to the GFA’s charge and GHS 500.00 fine on social media, visibly in disagreement:
“Why can football players celebrate LGBTQ+ sexuality but not their love for Jesus? Romans 14:8 — If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. ✟ It’s kingdom work on the pitch!”
The Nations FC’s star player echoed the views of the father of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guéhi, John Guéhi, after his son was charged for the same offence in the Premier League in December 2024.
