Openly gay Sky Sports reporter claims ‘another footballer’ who ‘wouldn’t support LGBTQ+ equality because of his religious beliefs’ ‘cheats on his wife every week’

Sky Sports reporter Mark McAdam has alleged that ‘another footballer’ who ‘wouldn’t support LGBTQ+ equality’ for religious reasons ‘cheats on his wife every week’ in an incendiary post on social media. 

The broadcaster, who is openly gay and came out publicly 10 years ago, made the comment against the backdrop of news that Ipswich captain Sam Morsy opted not to wear the rainbow-flag emblazoned armband last weekend ‘due to his religious beliefs’. 

Every Premier League captain on Matchday 13 was handed an armband designed to raise the profile of Stonewall‘s Rainbow Laces campaign, which is aimed at promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion in the sport. 

Morsy was the only captain to play his match – against Nottingham Forest – without the specially designed armband, and received the backing of his club. 

Crystal Palace‘s Marc Guehi opted to sport the armband, but faces a warning from the FA for writing ‘I (heart) Jesus’ in marker pen over the design. 

In the light of the two dissentions, McAdam was keen to imply that religious beliefs were somewhat selectively relied upon – although there was no indiciation that either Guehi or Morsy were the intended target of his message. 

Sam Morsy became the second captain in the history of the campaign not to wear the armband

Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi sported the armband but added an ‘I (heart) Jesus customisation

‘Recent events have reminded me of another player who wouldn’t support LGBTQ+ equality because of his religious beliefs,’ McAdam wrote on X (formerly Twitter). 

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

While Ipswich were keen to promote their club’s commitment to ‘promoting equality and acceptance’ in a statement released on Monday, the Tractor Boys were equally expansive in their defence of Morsy’s stance, stressing that the club ‘will continue to grow an environment where all are valued and respected, both on and off the pitch.’

But some fans pointed out that his ‘religious beliefs’ had sometimes been put aside, due to his wearing of gambling sponsors on his kits. 

One fan wrote on social media: ‘Sam Morsy is more than happy to promote gambling which also goes against his beliefs. F***ing hypocrite.’ 

Guehi faces reprimand for the personal addition to his armband from the FA due to rules banning ‘any political, religious, or personal slogans, statements, or images’ on players’ equipment – which includes armbands. 

The England international is a devout Christian and previously spoke on how his faith still plays a major role in his football career.

Speaking previously with The Athletic, he said: ‘I’ve grown up loving God and when I have had the chance I still go to church with my family, and my faith is definitely a big part of my life.

McAdam drew attention to the at-times seemingly selective perspective on religious beliefs

‘Faith is everything that I’m involved with, really; even in football, where I’m trying to be a role model and show God’s graciousness and God’s glory through my life.’

Stonewall opted not to condemn either player when sharing their statement as the debate was brought to the fore, instead doubling down on their dedication to the campaign itself. 

‘It has been incredible to see so many football teams at all levels support our Rainbow Laces campaign to make sport safer and more inclusive for all,’ the charity’s statement read. 

‘When we see clubs show their support for LGBTQ+ inclusion, it helps people feel safe and welcome both on and off the pitch.

‘It is up to individuals to choose if and how they show their support for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport.’

McAdam came out in the UK-based LGBTQ+ Gay Times magazine in 2014, but admitted in an interview in September that he has had to come out repeatedly in the intervening years due to figures in the industry not being aware of his sexuality.