Former England midfielder and LGBTQ+ icon, Jill Scott, has added her voice to the growing controversy surrounding Jordan Henderson’s recent move to Saudi Arabia. The former Liverpool captain, known for his support of LGBTQ+ rights, signed with Saudi Pro League team Al-Ettifaq, sparking criticism and questions about his stance on the LGBTQ+ community.
Henderson, who had previously worn the rainbow armband and positioned himself as an LGBTQ+ ally, is now reportedly earning a staggering £700,000 per week with Al-Ettifaq. This move has raised eyebrows, given that Saudi Arabia is considered one of the most dangerous countries for LGBTQ+ individuals, where openly identifying as LGBTQ+ can result in severe punishment, including imprisonment or the death penalty under Sharia law.
Speaking as a pundit on Channel 4 ahead of the England vs Ukraine Euro 2024 qualifier, Jill Scott expressed her disappointment, saying, “I’m a Jordan Henderson fan, but now I know I wouldn’t be welcome if I wanted to watch him play football.” Scott, who has been engaged to her long-term partner, Shelly Unitt, since 2020, joined the chorus of voices questioning Henderson’s commitment to LGBTQ+ rights.
The controversy extended to the stadium, where boos could be heard from fans when Henderson took possession of the ball. England’s biggest LGBTQ+ fan group, Three Lions Pride, had previously announced their intention to protest Henderson’s appearance on the pitch, citing his apology as “gaslighting.” Co-chair of Three Lions Pride, Joe White, stated, “Our position as a group is turning backs, which is done in a way that still respects the England team but makes the point quite clearly that we don’t have respect for Jordan anymore.”
Despite the uproar, England manager Gareth Southgate urged fans to support Henderson, emphasizing that the midfielder’s “feeling towards” the LGBTQ+ community “hasn’t changed.” Southgate acknowledged the comments made by fans but expressed confidence that supporters would rally behind both the team and Henderson during the game.
Jordan Henderson, for his part, defended his move to Saudi Arabia, asserting that having someone with his views and values in the country would be a positive contribution. As the debate rages on, Henderson’s decision continues to be a point of contention, raising questions about the intersection of sports, politics, and LGBTQ+ rights.