Jake Daniels: Jordan Henderson's move to Saudi Arabia like 'slap in my face' after he offered support
«Seeing him move to Saudi, it kind of like, slaps me in my face really. I guess the money pays well, and money must mean more to people.» Daniels — the first openly gay active British pro footballer in 30 years — says he felt let down by Henderson's Saudi Pro League switch
By PA Sport
Thursday 23 November 2023 08:20, UK
Blackpool forward Jake Daniels has said it was a slap in the face when Jordan Henderson moved to play in Saudi Arabia.
In May last year, Daniels became the first openly gay active British male professional footballer since Justin Fashanu in 1990.
Former Liverpool captain Henderson had been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community before his decision to join Saudi club Al Ettifaq from Liverpool in the summer.
Homosexuality is illegal in the Gulf state, leading some to accuse the England midfielder of turning his back on the community.
Speaking to the BBC's Newsbeat, Daniels said: «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, 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."
Henderson's former Liverpool and England team-mate Steven Gerrard is currently his manager in the Saudi Pro League.
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Daniels, who made his senior debut for Blackpool in May 2022, said Gerrard had personally reached out to him following his decision to come out.
He added: «I met him 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
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