13 July 2023 , 13:40
911
0
A Liverpool LGBT+ fan group has been left "appalled and concerned" amid claims that captain Jordan Henderson is considering a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia.
Henderson, 33, is reported to have been offered a bumper contract offer from Al-Ettifaq - the team who Liverpool legend and ex-team-mate Steven Gerrard recently became manager of - and will more than quadruple his wage, earning a huge £700,000 per week. The two clubs are now set to hold talks over a fee, with Henderson valued at £10million, garnering criticism from LGBT+ groups.
Being homosexual or transgender in Saudi Arabia remains illegal, and anyone who identifies as LGBT+ can be subjected to severe penalties. The Saudi Pro League have brought in a host of big-name players in 2023, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema, a strategy which critics say has continued the state's sportwashing efforts.
Henderson is one of the most high-profile Premier League players to stand with LGBT+ people, proudly donning the rainbow captain's armband on numerous occasions and getting involved in various anti-homophobia projects.
Kop Outs released a statement via social media on Thursday in response to transfer speculation, saying that they hoped that Henderson would "prove to be a man of his word" and reject the move. "Kop Outs have valued the allyship shown by Jordan Henderson," the group of LGBT+ Liverpool supporters began.
Klopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected
"We are appalled and concerned that anyone might consider working for a sportswashing operation for a regime where women & LGBT+ people are oppressed and that regularly tops the world death sentence table. (Steven) Gerrard's participation in this sportswashing is particularly galling given his previous support for LA Galaxy team-mate Robbie Rogers (who came out as gay in 2013).
"When someone's made a fortune, should money tempt them to go to work? Maybe they should be asking themselves those questions. We hope that Jordan Henderson proves to be a man of his word and stays true to the values of our club, which so far he has been an absolute embodiment of."
Have your say! Should Jordan Henderson accept the offer from Saudi Arabia? Let us know in the comments section.
Speaking on Stonewall's Rainbow Laces campaign in 2019, Henderson said: "This campaign is important if there are still supporters out there who don't feel they can be themselves or, even worse, have to hide who they are for fear of getting abuse or being discriminated against.
"I'm a parent, a husband, a son and a brother and the idea that anyone I love and care about wouldn't feel safe or comfortable coming to watch me play if they were part of the LGBT community makes me wonder what world we live in.
"As long as even one supporter questions whether they are welcome or can enjoy football because of their sexuality, the campaign is important. It sends the message: you are welcome, we are on your side and the small minded idiots who make you feel uncomfortable have no place in football. Simple as that."