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- March 25, 2026
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The following is a transcription of On the Lord’s Side Podcast presented on GospelBellsRadio on March 25, 2026 by Olufemi Oguntokun. It may not fully match with the audio, but represents a near perfect transcription of the broadcast.
On Awoniyi’s Goal Celebration and Religious Expression in Football
And it’s good morning to you once again. It’s Wednesday, the 25th of March, 2026. The program is On the Lord’s Side: Christian Perspectives on News and Current Events. My name is Olufemi Oguntokun. You can follow me on X at Olufemi OG. You can follow Gospel Bells Radio on X at Gospel Bells Radio.
From The Punch newspaper this morning: Awoniyi celebration sparks religious debate. And this is talking about this matter that has gotten many Nigerians voicing their opinions on social media.
The report says a growing debate has emerged in England following Taiwo Awoniyi’s goal celebration during Premier League action, with pundits, former players, and fans divided over the place of religious expression in football.
The Nottingham Forest striker scored in his side’s 3–0 win over Tottenham Hotspur before revealing an undershirt bearing the message “God is the greatest,” an act that has drawn scrutiny under the game’s regulations.
Under the laws set by the International Football Association Board, players are prohibited from displaying political, religious, or personal slogans, with potential sanctions enforced by governing bodies, including the Football Association and FIFA.
The rule states that players must not reveal undergarments containing such messages, with disciplinary action applicable for breaches.
Awoniyi, who converted from close range after connecting with a delivery from Neco Williams, was booked during the match and could face further punishment, shifting attention away from what had been a commanding away performance.
The incident has since sparked widespread discussion, including on British broadcaster GB News, where differing views were expressed on whether such expressions should be permitted in football.
Commentator Uma Wolfe argued that while the message itself was not offensive, the broader principle of allowing religious or political expressions in sport could create division, stressing the need for neutrality.
“Well, look, I don’t think Awoniyi’s message of ‘God is the greatest’ was offensive. It didn’t offend me. I’m a Christian. I don’t think that’s an offensive message. But I think we need to be really clear. What if other religious views that we would find offensive were expressed on the pitch? What if a Muslim said ‘homosexuality is a sin’ across their shirt, for example, or a Catholic said ‘abortion is a crime’? I think we just need to be really clear that we keep sport free from religion and politics, a kind of neutral space, and I think the rules need to be crystal clear and applied impartially.”
The commentator further highlighted what she described as inconsistencies in the application of the rules, arguing that football should remain a unifying platform free from wider societal divisions.
“You’ve mentioned loads of different cases there where it’s been basically double standards, and I completely agree with you. I don’t really want people taking the name. I don’t want Black Lives Matter. I don’t want any of these religious messages or cultural messages. You know, the Premier League is actually a success story in terms of real multiculturalism, and it’s about skills and it’s about bringing people together.”
She also suggested that many supporters view football as an escape from polarized debate.
So I want to ask you, what do you think about this? What do you think about that rule that prohibits football players from making such statements, political, religious, or cultural statements?
It says, look, any cultural statement, any political statement, religious statement, keep it to yourself. Don’t express it on the pitch.
But others are saying, well, look at what this man has said. This man has said “God is the greatest.” Why would anybody have any qualms with that? Why should a man be punished for merely declaring that God is the greatest?
Well, for information’s sake, Taiwo Awoniyi is a devout Christian who has publicly stated that his faith is the most important part of his life. He frequently shares his religious beliefs on social media and uses his platform to promote his faith in Jesus.
There are so many people who, when they become quite popular, they fear. They say, look, I don’t want some segment of society not to like me. So because of that, I’m going to distance myself from Jesus. And that is shame, really.
And anytime we come across people like Taiwo Awoniyi who publicly identify with the Lord, we should celebrate them and pray that they will continue to have such courage.
But it is one thing for him on his own social media page to identify with Christ. It is another thing for him to break the law of his career just in a bid to proclaim a religious belief.
This is not a case where he was prohibited from worshipping Christ. This is not the case of Daniel. This is not the case of the three Hebrews. This is not the case of Peter before the Sanhedrin.
This is a rule that applies to everyone, religious, cultural, and political expressions alike.
I do not think that this is a case of boldness for the Lord. I think this is a case where a reasonable rule was broken.
Rules like this, that are not targeted at Christians but apply across the board, and that have a defensible rationale, are rules we should keep.
God is not diminished if Taiwo Awoniyi did not reveal that undershirt.
We should be bold for Christ, yes but we should also be wise, discerning when our loyalty to Christ is truly being tested.
And in this case, I believe this is one rule that ought to have been obeyed.
On the Viral Video About Catholic Sermons and Spiritual “Feeling”
Now, I want to go to another controversial matter. I want you to listen to this—a video made by a Christian lady who, after attending church service, made her views known about whether her spirit had been fed.
“I feel like my strength was not fed enough with the gospel. I’m a Catholic, but honestly, the gospel in Catholic churches these days does not cut it for me. This is one of the reasons why my husband… he’s a Catholic, but currently he’s now going to one of these Pentecostal churches, and I totally get him now. Because what’s the point of going to church and at the end of the day you come back feeling like your spirit was not fed?
This is part of the reason why I also come for Koinonia most evenings… apart from the fact that I love Apostle Selman… my heart is so full after every Sunday fellowship with Koinonia.
Catholic priests should go for pastoral teaching so they can learn how to dissect the Bible… my spirit was not fed today. Is yours fed coming back from church today?”
So you heard that lady there saying her spirit was not fed.
Many people reacted.
One person wrote: “This lady is saying what many are afraid to say. There is nothing in Catholic sermons.”
Another wrote: “Catholic sermons are the most beautiful ever—no motivational speaking, just straight teachings from the Bible.”
Another said: “It’s not a social gathering or nightclub. The Holy Mass is a solemn moment with God.”
Another added: “Speak for your own parish.”
And that is an important point—this is a classic fallacy of overgeneralization.
She attended one service, listened to one priest, and concluded that Catholic priests are not preaching good sermons.
Now, the key issue here is what she said: “That is how I feel.”
And that brings us to the danger of feelings.
The question is not, “How did you feel?” The question is, “What did you hear?”
What did the priest preach?
Did she reflect on the message?
Did she go back to the scriptures?
Sometimes, a sermon is not meant to make you feel excited. Sometimes it is meant to warn you. Sometimes it is meant to remind you of eternal truths.
We must not confuse motivation with spiritual feeding.
There is a difference between a gifted speaker and a faithful preacher.
You do not judge a preacher by how eloquent they are. You judge a preacher by how faithful they are to the scriptures.
I would take a preacher who is not overly gifted as a speaker but who is loyal to the Word of God over a gifted orator who preaches his own ideas.
Yes, the ideal is a preacher who is both gifted and faithful, but if you must choose, choose faithfulness to scripture.
And if truly someone feels spiritually hungry, the first response should not be social media, it should be prayer.
Pray for your church. Pray for your priest. Pray for your leaders.
And you will be surprised what the Lord will do.
I want to thank you very much for staying with us this morning on Gospel Bells Radio. On the Lord’s Side: Christian Perspectives on News and Current Events.
I will be with you again tomorrow by the grace of God.
Whatever you do today, please remain firmly on the Lord’s side.
God bless you.