Jordan Henderson's departure to Saudi Arabia has been referred to as a "slap in the face" to the LGBTQ+ community by Blackpool's Jake Daniels.
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Daniels criticizes Henderson's Saudi moveDaniels the only openly gay footballer in England Calls Saudi move a 'slap in the face' for LGBTQ+ communityGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?
Since Justin Fashanu in 1990, Daniels became the first British male professional football player to come out as openly gay last year. Daniels stated in an interview with the BBC's Newsbeat that he had received a message from Henderson last year offering his support, but that his choice to join Al-Ettifaq demonstrated that "money must mean more to people."
Henderson made the choice to leave Liverpool for the Saudi Pro League in the summer after publicly endorsing the LGBTQ+ community. Some have accused the England midfielder of abandoning the community since homosexuality is prohibited in the Gulf state.
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"He [Henderson] messaged me when I came out. He was backing me and said: ‘We’re proud of what you’ve done.’ And seeing him move to Saudi [Arabia], it kind of like, slaps me in my face really. Obviously, it was frustrating. But I guess the money pays well, and money must mean more to people," Daniels stated in an interview with the BBC’s Newsbeat [via The Guardian]. "I met [Gerrard] in person and he said: ‘If you ever want to get in contact then message me.’ But he moved over [to Saudi Arabia]. It was frustrating."
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Henderson agreed to a contract for £700,000 a week, but he has consistently stated that he was not driven by money when he decided to join Al-Ettifaq. He acknowledged the outrage over his relocation to Saudi Arabia in a September interview with The Athletic, but he insisted that he did so in order to contribute to the efforts to "grow the sport all over the world."
WHAT NEXT FOR HENDERSON?
The English midfielder has returned to Saudi Arabia after his international duty with England in their European Championship qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.