What Premier League giants REALLY think of the Rainbow-gate moral minefield, major stars fall for ‘sham’ event, plus a player Man United think is keen to leave: THE SAMI MOKBEL COLUMN

Premier League clubs want English football authorities to consider softening the Rainbow Laces initiative ahead of next season.

The campaign, designed to promote inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community, has been at the centre of controversy this week – most pertinently Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi was reminded of his responsibilities by the Football Association after scrawling the message ‘I love Jesus’ on the rainbow armband he wore in the 1-1 draw versus Newcastle last weekend.

Guehi, who was not directly contacted by the FA following the game versus Eddie Howe’s side, repeated the act for Tuesday’s win at Ipswich by writing ‘Jesus loves us’ on his armband. However, despite his initial warning from the FA, the governing body did not punish Guehi for the message at Portman Road.

Rules ban any ‘political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images’ on players’ equipment, including armbands.

But the fact Guehi was even reprimanded by the FA initially for what was a message of love has sparked concern at certain top-flight clubs, who want the authorities to reflect on the way the campaign is applied to ensure greater understanding of the respective faiths and beliefs of individuals.

One well placed source said: ‘Pushing anything on someone is not on if they have different beliefs of faith.

‘It’s a very worthy initiative but there needs to be a rethink on how we go about it.’

Guehi’s father gave an interview to Mail Sport on Tuesday condemning the FA for sanctioning his son for spreading God’s love, remarks that figures at rival Premier League clubs are understood to agree with.

Guehi and Crystal Palace weren’t the only ones caught in a storm this week.

Ipswich captain Sam Morsy, a practicing Muslim, refused to wear the rainbow armband for the defeats against Nottingham Forest and Palace because it is against his faith. He escaped FA punishment.

It also emerged that Manchester United scrapped plans to wear a rainbow jacket to show support for the LGBTQ+ community ahead of the victory over Everton after Moroccan star Noussair Mazraoui, also of Islamic faith, refused.

Indeed, the Rainbow Laces campaign has fast become a moral minefield for clubs.

At the start of each season Premier League sides are sent a calendar of activation events throughout the season in order for them to appropriately plan ahead; for instance clubs are told well in advance when the No Room For Racism campaign is active, the Poppy weekend and Rainbow Laces.

They are also sent toolkits advising them on how to best approach those campaign and what paraphernalia they will receive such as banners and badges to help promote those initiatives. Pertinently, clubs are not explicitly told they have to support those campaigns – but the fear of criticism for not doing so has become a clear concern.

‘Clubs are told they can support each campaign as much as they want, but no club is forced,’ revealed a source.

‘But then you know you will be vilified for not supporting, so almost inadvertently clubs will try and out do each other because they don’t want to be singled out. That’s a difficult situation.’

Moving forward certain clubs feel that a one-size-fits-all anti-discrimination campaign that can be promoted during numerous periods throughout the season could be a way of avoiding sensitive scenarios that have emerged this week amid concerns that individualising different causes can be divisive.

‘You’re always wary of falling into a trap of having players singled out,’ said an insider.

‘For instance, you can’t take the captaincy off a player for two games because he doesn’t want to wear the rainbow armband because you are effectively throwing him under a bus.’

There is an acceptance, though, among clubs that the Rainbow Laces campaign has become a staple of English football’s drive for inclusion.

Indeed, only last week the FA re-asserted their backing for the campaign in their latest equality, diversity and inclusion strategy for the next four years.

Rowing back now would open the door to major criticism. English football’s key stakeholders will not want that heat no matter the sensitivities.

Ex-players question Kings Cup collapse 

Former Premier League footballers were left in limbo last week after an A-list exhibition game – that has been described as a ‘shambles’ – in Dubai was postponed at late notice.

A number of ex-players due to feature in the Kings Cup – which was scheduled to be played in the United Arab Emirates last Saturday – have been left feeling duped with one leading source telling the Mail Sport that the event is ‘one big sham’.

The friendly encounter that promised to deliver a global superstar roster was cancelled just days before kick-off – by which point some players had already arrived in Dubai.

Edgar Davids, Roberto Carlos, Franck Ribery, David Villa, Jay Jay Okocha, Clarence Seedorf and Blaise Matuidi were all lined-up to play.

Among the the ex-Premier League players set to be involved were Paul Scholes, John Terry, Michael Owen, Yohan Cabaye and Marouane Fellaini.

However, the event fell apart, with those lined-up to feature claiming the reasons behind its collapse were financial.

‘Players were promised vast sums to play in the game but it became clear they didn’t have money to pay,’ said a source.

It is also claimed that a number of participants were even unable to check in for flights that had been arranged for them to travel to Dubai for the game.

One former Premier League player due to play in the game told Mail Sport: ‘I spoke to a few of the lads who tried to check in and couldn’t. So they contacted to the airline and the flight they were trying to check in for didn’t exist. It was a shambles.’

Terry, Bobby Zamora and Marc Albrighton were among the players who’d arrived in Dubai only to find the game wasn’t going ahead.

The was also issues over Paul Pogba’s billed participation in the game after the former Manchester United star formed a key part of the promotional build-up.

The game was billed by many as Pogba’s comeback match after his drugs ban given the use of his image in promoting the event.

However, Mail Sport has been told that Pogba – despite his billing – never intended to play and that his involvement was only ever for promotional purposes.

Pogba, it is understood, was due to attend the game as a spectator – but not play.

Organisers of the event say the game is now due to take place in February.

Asked about the future date, one ex-footballer, who will fulfil his commitment to play if the game goes ahead, said: ‘Believe it when I see it.’

Arsenal invite Vieira offers

Arsenal’s Fabio Vieira’s long-term future at the club is in doubt with the club ready to listen to offers for the midfielder.

The 24-year-old is currently on loan at Porto until the end of the season, but his position at the Emirates beyond that juncture is already uncertain with the club open to selling Vieira.

The Portugal international joined Arsenal in 2022 in a deal worth £32million, but has struggled to make an impact in north London.

Vieira has made just four league starts in Portugal since his return – but has scored in his previous two fixtures.

Elsewhere, left-back Nuno Tavares is also likely to leave at the end of the season. The defender, also 24, is on loan at Lazio. There is an obligation for Lazio to sign Tavares permanently provided certain conditions are met.

Even if a full-time deal isn’t triggered, Arsenal will look to sell Tavares. Marquinhos, who has returned from a loan spell Fluminense, is also free to leave.

Will Wolves back or sack O’Neil?  

Wolves head coach Gary O’Neil is under mounting pressure to keep his job following Wednesday’s dismal loss at Everton.

On October 31, the Sami Mokbel Column reported that O’Neil maintained the immediate backing of the club’s board despite a run – at that stage – that saw them pick up just two points from a possible 27.

Since then the team have improved, picking up seven points from 15. But two consecutive losses to Bournemouth on Saturday and then Wednesday’s 4-0 crushing at Goodison Park leaves O’Neil under threat.

Wolves fans heckled their own manager against Everton and sections have already turned on O’Neil, whose side are in the bottom three.

Ultimately, results and performances will determine whether the Wolves hierarchy decide to part with the former Bournemouth boss.

But it is also understood the club are also fully engaged with fan feelings towards their head coach as they look to avoid any sense of toxicity.

Scottish teen catches the eye in the Premier League 

Brighton and Southampton are tracking Motherwell teenager Lennon Miller ahead of the January transfer window.

The 18-year-old is earning rave reviews in Scotland and scouts from the Premier League have flocked to watch the youngster in action.

And it is understood the two south-coast clubs are most advanced in their interest.

The youngster, who has also been linked with Liverpool and Newcastle, could be available for £5million.

Clubs hunt for representation agreement work-arounds

Clubs are going to covert lengths to ensure agents of players classified as minors can still be paid commission.

The FA has strict regulations over representation agreements with young players, with one specific rule prohibiting management agencies being paid for their services before a player’s 18th birthday.

However, with academy transfers such an integral part of how clubs operate with regards to talent recruitment – the expertise of agents have become crucial in facilitating such deals.

And in order to ensure companies are remunerated for their work, clubs are taking to offering older clients connected to the agency in question new contracts or, in certain scenarios, transfers as a vehicle to ensure payment for the deal they legally cannot receive payment for.

United keep tabs on goalkeeper market amid Bayindir concerns

Man United are keeping their eye on the goalkeeper market amid concerns current No 2 Altay Bayindir wants to leave.

Bayindir, who has 10 caps for Turkey, hasn’t made a single Premier League appearance since joining from Fenerbache in the summer of 2023.

And there are indications that the 26-year-old is keen to leave Old Trafford with a view to playing regular first-team football.

As a result, United are monitoring goalkeeping opportunities ahead of the January window with a view to potentially letting Bayindir depart.

Pogba plots comeback with Adidas 

Paul Pogba was back with long-term partner Adidas this week ahead of his long-awaited return to professional football.

The midfielder has been forced to put his career on hold after being hit with an initial four year doping ban that has since been slashed to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

And with Pogba cleared to return to professional action before the end of the season, the World Cup winner was a special guest of a special event with sportswear giants Adidas earlier this week as he plots his comeback.

The 31-year-old attended the internal event which was put on for members of the iconic company’s senior leadership team.

From Adidas’ point of view Pogba’s attendance provided an opportunity for the company to welcome back their star player to the family following a tumultuous period.

For Pogba, who gave a speech to staff, the day provided him with the chance to thank the company for sticking by him during a tough time.

Owner at war with Marinakis accused of threatening hooligan violence 

Greek side Aris FC’s co-owner Theodoros Karipidis, who is at the centre of a libel battle involving Nottingham Forest and Olympiakos owner Evangelos Marinakis, has been condemned in his homeland amid accusations of threatening hooligan violence.

Mr Karipidis, according to multiple reports in Greece, has seen his public reputation called into question in recent days after being been slammed in his homeland by three of the main political parties for threatening to ruin the opening of the Thessaloniki metro with threats of violence.

Political party PASOK-KINAL deputy Manolis Christodoulakis said: ‘It goes without saying that when a football club executive makes such threats that all law enforcement procedures must commence over this incident.’

Marinakis has launched legal proceedings over an alleged ‘smear campaign’ conducted by Irini Karipidis, the co-owner of Olympiakos’ opponents Aris and sister of Theodoros, over allegations made on a website, social media, and mobile billboards between November 2023 and March this year.