Jordan Henderson's LGBT+ stance to be tested as Stonewall offer olive branch
Stonewall will send Jordan Henderson a pair of rainbow laces in a test of the England star's stance on LGBT+ issues.
Henderson joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq from Liverpool in the summer transfer window. LGBT+ people face persecution in Saudi Arabia, with homosexuality carrying the death penalty in the Middle East state.
During his time at Anfield, Henderson had become one of the few Premier League footballers to place their full backing behind Stonewall's rainbow laces campaign. The campaign seeks to improve inclusion for LGBT+ people within sport.
As well as wearing the laces and rainbow armbands, Henderson also frequently spoke out in support of the LGBT+ community. Obviously, he is now playing in and getting his money from a country that appears to go totally against his values.
Stonewall will now put those values to the test, by sending rainbow laces out to the midfielder. The charity has admitted though that they are unlikely to get through the Saudi border guards.
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When asked if laces would be sent to Henderson, Stonewall's director of programmes Liz Ward told Mirror Football: "We'll try. They usually don't get through the border. We had a little incident with that in Qatar of sending out rainbow laces that mysteriously never appeared. But we'll give it a go.
"It's really interesting because Jordan is a really good example of someone who went above and beyond the ask of just putting in the laces. He would do the events with Kop Outs, he would write LinkedIn posts about it, he would use his social media to share the message.
Henderson has previously been a vocal backer of the rainbow laces campaign (Peter Powell - Pool/Getty Images)"That was fantastic, but I think what the Jordan Henderson situation highlighted was that we need to deepen our levels of education for these players within the game. I'm really proud that Stonewall have worked for the last six years now with the Premier League for education of academy players.
"But one 45-minute workshop can only do so much. With a player like Jordan, he clearly is well-meaning. The intricacies of geopolitical realities for LGBT+ inclusion maybe needs a wider and deeper conversation. That's really disheartening.
"Disappointed probably doesn't cover the level of feeling that we felt about seeing Jordan go to Saudi Arabia. But as he said in his interview, I hope he continues to support the LGBT community in any way he can."
Since his move, Henderson has revealed he would consider wearing rainbow laces in Saudi Arabia. But he has admitted that he understands why many in the LGBT+ community have reacted angrily to his move.
"I wouldn’t rule that out," he told The Athletic when asked if he would wear the laces. "But at the same time, what I wouldn’t do is disrespect the religion and culture in Saudi Arabia. And by doing something like that, if that did disrespect the religion, then no, I’m not going to do that.
"But if the opportunity comes where I can do it and it doesn’t, then yeah, because that’s my values. I think people know what my views and values were before I left and still do now. And I think having someone with those views and values in Saudi Arabia is only a positive thing.
"I can understand the frustration. I can understand the anger. I get it. All I can say around that is that I’m sorry that they feel like that. My intention was never, ever to hurt anyone. My intention has always been to help causes and communities where I felt like they had asked for my help."
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