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ENGLAND midfielder Jordan Henderson should expect “some tough times” from the LGBTQ+ community when he returns from Saudi Arabia, according to a European supporters’ equality campaign group.
Former Liverpool captain Henderson signed for Saudi Pro League side al-Ettifaq in a lucrative but controversial move last summer.
The 33-year-old looks set for a return to Europe after reportedly reaching an agreement with al-Ettifaq to terminate his contract and sign for Dutch giants Ajax.
Henderson was a high-profile supporter of LGBTQ+ rights during his time at Anfield, and subsequently apologised for any hurt he caused by moving to a country where homosexuality is illegal.
He was, though, booed off the pitch at Wembley during an England friendly against Australia in October.
Sven Kistner, board member of Queer Football Fan Clubs, a network of European gay and lesbian football fan clubs which has around 1,200 members, feels Henderson is likely to face some similar reactions when he is expected to make a return to action in the Netherlands.
“I think he will go through some tough times still with the LGBT+ community,” Kistner said.
“He was kind of an icon, a role model to many of the community, but then he decided to leave for Saudi Arabia — it is not the US or Japan, or even China. It is Saudi Arabia.
“I think that was not very well received by the community, which is absolutely understandable. Now that he was there, he noticed quite soon that it is not the best place to be.
“Also from a football point of view, because if in 80 per cent of the cases you play with a stadium which is only 2 per cent occupied, it’s not really fun for a player as well.”
Despite the disappointment over Henderson’s move to Saudi Arabia, Kistner feels the player can go on to restore his reputation within the LGBTQ+ community.
“He could and should have known better before, but he didn’t, and now he’s coming back,” Kistner said.
“I think he might again play a good role for our community, but it will take some time until the trust in him is back. It will need some effort from his side to get this reputation back.”
