The Ghana Football Association (GFA)’s Nations FC player, Emmanuel Annor has stirred controversy. Fans have been divided over the GFA’s decision to fine the player GHS500 for removing his shirt to reveal a religious message on undergarment which reads: 'I belong to Jesus'.

I don’t know the specific rule, but the Ghana Premier League’s regulations forbid what Emmanuel Annor did. The player took to social media to respond to his 500-cedi fine: “Why can football players celebrate LGBTQ+ but not their love for Jesus?” he asked. He quoted 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”. He then added: “It's the kingdom work on the pitch!” Reactions have been mixed.

I’m a Bible-believing Christian. I preach Christ. With the strength and grace God gives me, I’ll not only preach but live Christ forever. My faith in Jesus Christ notwithstanding, I believe Annor needs more education and enlightenment on the subject. First, the world has rejected Jesus. His own knew Him not (John 1:11). It’s no surprise that many do not see eye to eye with anything Christ. Annor must understand that worldliness finds no comfortable sitting space with Christ. It’s why LGBTQ+ movements adore anything but at the mention of Jesus, they’ll revolt.

I side with Annor that Christians must live their faith fully and unashamedly but then Christians must be aware of what they sign unto especially where there are clear rules regulating the business they undertake. You don’t accept to be a footballer but then reject football rules. FIFA Law 4, point 5 on “Slogans, statements, images and advertising” states: “Equipment must not have any political, religious or personal slogans, statements or images.

“Players must not reveal undergarments that show political, religious, or personal slogans, statements or images, or advertising other than the manufacturer's logo. For any offence, the player and/or the team will be sanctioned by the competition organiser, national football association, or by FIFA.” This rule is so clear. Per the rules of FIFA, the GFA is right. Annor must know that he can’t eat his cake and have it.

Football rules are for the game. Football rules are also universal. Similarly, the Bible is universal. You can’t pick and choose which part you want to obey. Christian footballers must know this. Pagan enterprises in the adult entertainment world abhor Jesus Christ because His teachings on sexual lust contradict nudity (Matthew 5:28-29). Don’t privately sign football contracts accepting all its rules but then publicly express dissent about a football rule when you’re punished for breaking it. 

I have been a football journalist for half my lifetime. I’ll not shirk my faith in Christ because this world offers nothing bigger than Christ. Should I be a footballer, I’ll either obey the rules governing the game or indeed, look for avenues that don’t flout the rules to profess my faith in Christ. If all of that is wrong according to the Bible, I’d better not enter football in the first place. I’ll stand with Christ, not football because Jesus is the saviour of the world (1 John 4:14).