Out Soccer Star Jake Daniels Says Jordan Henderson Joining Saudi Arabian Team 'Slaps Me in the Face'

Out English soccer star Jake Daniels says that seeing fellow footballer Jordan Henderson – who declared his support when Daniels came out last year – join Saudi Arabia's club Al-Ettifaq "slaps me in the face," British newspaper the Daily Star reports.

"Jake Daniels, who plays for Blackpool, last year became the first openly gay active English male professional footballer since Justin Fashanu in 1990," the Daily Star recalled. "Former Liverpool captain Henderson had been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community before his decision to join Saudi Pro League club Al-Ettifaq, who are managed by Steven Gerrard."

The article noted that being gay is illegal in Saudi Arabia, and said that Henderson's signing on to the Saudi Arabian team drew charges of "hypocrisy and of turning his back on the community."

"Henderson actually messaged Daniels to offer his support after he came out," the article went on to add. "However, the 18-year-old says that now seems like a hollow gesture."

Daniels recalled that in his text, Henderson "was backing me and said 'We're proud of what you've done'. And seeing him move to Saudi, it kind of like, slaps me in my face really," the newspaper quoted the 18-year-old Blackpool player said.

"Obviously it was frustrating," Daniels added. "But I guess the money pays well, and money must mean more to people."

The disappointment is compounded since Gerrard, too, had offered his support to the out soccer champ.

"I met him in person," Daniels said of Gerrard, "and he said 'If you ever want to get in contact then message me'. But he moved over" to manage Al-Ettifaq.

"It was frustrating," Daniels said.

While the sport's leadership has made gestures toward making soccer more welcoming and inclusive, LGBTQ+ fans and their allies still have a bad taste from last year's World Cup having been hosted by another anti-LGBTQ+ country, Qatar. English soccer great David Beckham, like Jordan Henderson, drew criticism for agreeing to be a spokesperson for Qatar despite a years-long record of allyship and advocating for LGBTQ+ equality.

Recent comments Beckham made on the red carpet at the premiere of a Netflix documentary on his life and career triggered a new wave of criticism, with Beckham having offered a defense of his ambassadorial role for Qatar.