‘The old brand is dead’ – Thomas Hitzlsperger questions Jordan Henderson’s support for LGBTQ+ community following Al Ettifaq transfer
Aston Villa hero Thomas Hitzlsperger has slammed Jordan Henderson following his move to Saudi Arabia.
The 33-year-old, now set to earn £700,000-a-week, had become an ally of the LGBTQ+ community after speaking out against the country's strict views on homosexuality.
Ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Henderson expressed his admiration for the Rainbow Laces campaign.
But his decision to join Al Ettifaq has attracted criticism from fans, including the Liverpool LGBTQ+ fan group.
Homosexuality is criminalised in Saudi Arabia, with those found guilty potentially facing the death penalty.
And 52-cap Germany international Hitzlsperger, who is the only Premier League star past or present to come out as gay, has stated he was fooled by Henderson.
He tweeted: «So Jordan Henderson finally gets his move to Saudi Arabia.
»Fair play to him, he can play wherever he wants to play.
«Curious to know though how the new brand JH will look like. The old one is dead!
»I did believe for a while that his support for the LGBT+ community would be genuine. Silly me…”
Hitzlsperger then unearthed previous comments from Henderson which he made back in 2019 prior to the World Cup in the Middle East.
He said: «The idea that anyone I love or 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.»
It led the former West Ham man to say: «This says it all. [His] gay mates are not safe if they want to watch him live.
»No one forced him to support the LGBTQ+ community. He chose to. Why??? Doesn’t make sense to me anymore."
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