Jake Daniels claims Jordan Henderson’s £700k-per-week move to Saudi Arabia was a ‘slap in the face’ for the LGBTQ+ community

Britain’s only openly gay footballer has described Jordan Henderson’s move to Saudi Arabia as a ‘slap in the face’ following his support of the LGBTQ+ community..

The former Liverpool captain sent a message of support to Jake Daniels when he came out last year, but the Blackpool player has not heard from Henderson since he completed a £12million move to join Al-Ettifaq in July

 

The England international was criticised for his move to Saudi Arabia, where same-sex sexual activity is illegal, as campaigners felt it contradicted his support for the LGBTQ+ community.

 

 

Henderson had been vocal in his support of the rainbow laces campaign and ending LGBTQ+ discrimination in football during his time at Anfield.

 

Daniels told BBC’s Newsbeat the former Liverpool midfielder sent him a message saying he was ‘proud’ of his decision to come out 18 months ago..

Jake Daniels has described Jordan Henderson ‘s move to Saudi Arabia as a ‘slap in the face’ following his support of the LGBTQ + community.

Daniels became Britain’s first openly gay professional footballer since Justin Fashanu in 1990 when he came out 18 months ago

Daniels became Britain’s first openly gay professional footballer since Justin Fashanu in 1990 when he came out 18 months ago.

He was backing me and said: “We’re proud of what you’ve done”,’ he explained.

 

‘Seeing him move to Saudi, it kind of like, slaps me in my face really.

 

‘But I guess the money pays well, and money must mean more to people.’

 

Davis also revealed he’d spoken to Steven Gerrard before the Liverpool great joined Al-Ettifaq as a manager.

 

‘I met him in person and he said: “If you ever want to get in contact then message me” – but he moved over,’ he explained.

 

Henderson signed a £700,000-a-week deal but has repeatedly insisted his decision to join Al-Ettifaq was not financially motivated.

 

In an interview with The Athletic in September, hw said he understood the anger surrounding his move to Saudi Arabia, but claimed he moved to the country to help ‘grow the sport all over the world’.

He said that people were aware of his ‘views and values’, claiming that his presence in Saudi Arabia could ultimately be a ‘positive thing’, despite the barrage of criticism coming his way.

 

‘I can understand the frustration. I can understand the anger. I get it,’ Henderson said.