Jordan Henderson’s new Saudi Arabian membership turns rainbow armband photograph black and white

Jul 27, 2023 at 5:57 PM
Jordan Henderson’s new Saudi Arabian membership turns rainbow armband photograph black and white

Jordan Henderson’s new Saudi Arabian soccer membership has turned a part of a color {photograph} black and white – guaranteeing his rainbow armband can’t be seen.

A burst of pictures of Henderson enjoying for Liverpool characteristic on a video from Al-Ettifaq FC to announce his signing.

One options Henderson in a match in December 2020 when – as a part of the Premier League’s LGBTQ solidarity weekend – he wore a rainbow-coloured captain’s armband.

Read extra:
‘Stand by your words’: LGBT+ fans criticise Henderson move to Saudi side
Kylian Mbappe ‘refuses to discuss’ world record £257m move to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal

While a lot of the photograph stays in full color, the small part that includes the armband has been turned black and white by Al-Ettifaq.

Text positioned over the video reads: “Captain who sets an example in every training session and every match.”

Sky News has discovered the unique picture, confirming it initially featured the rainbow armband.

The obscuring of the armband’s LGBTQ messaging highlights how such rainbow armbands could be frowned on in Saudi Arabia, the place same-sex relations are unlawful.

The anti-LGBTQ legal guidelines within the kingdom are one purpose why Henderson’s switch has drawn criticism from Liverpool followers.

Rights activists denounce Saudi Arabia as a repressive regime the place freedoms are supressed and full equality is way from being assured for ladies.

Twitter

This content material is offered by Twitter, which can be utilizing cookies and different applied sciences.
To present you this content material, we want your permission to make use of cookies.
You can use the buttons under to amend your preferences to allow Twitter cookies or to permit these cookies simply as soon as.
You can change your settings at any time by way of the Privacy Options.


Unfortunately we now have been unable to confirm in case you have consented to Twitter cookies.
To view this content material you need to use the button under to permit Twitter cookies for this session solely.

Enable Cookies
Allow Cookies Once

Having proven solidarity with the LGBTQ group throughout 12 years at Anfield, the 33-year-old has accepted a profitable switch to a state-funded soccer mission in a rustic with repressive legal guidelines.

LGBT+ followers’ group Kop Outs mentioned Henderson had been “tarnished”.

“He was portraying himself as aligned with respect for women and LGBT+ rights,” mentioned Kop Outs founder Paul Amann.

“That has been severely tarnished by looking to jump ship to a regime that has none of those values at its core.

“And it leaves us questioning the authenticity of any of his former commitments. That tarnishes him fully as an individual however not as a participant.”

Jordan Henderson wearing the rainbow armband in support of the LGBT community. Pic: AP
Image:
Jordan Henderson carrying the rainbow armband in assist of the LGBT group. Pic: AP

The Liverpool Supporters’ Board mentioned: “We know he did much to promote inclusion on and off the pitch. He stood out as a principled footballer.

“We are subsequently very disenchanted and disheartened by his determination and the harm and division it has created.”

Al-Ettifaq is managed by Henderson’s former Liverpool captain, Steven Gerrard.

The 33-year-old initially rebuffed the strategy however it appears it was too profitable to show down, with reviews he’ll triple his present £200,000 per week wage.