Jordan Henderson: Will fans forgive and forget his Saudi Arabia move?

Jordan Henderson cut short his three-year deal with Saudi side Al-Ettifaq

When Jordan Henderson chose to move to Saudi Arabia about six months ago, many fans reacted with disbelief.

He'd shown his support for the LGBT community by wearing rainbow laces and a One Love armband, as well as writing messages of solidarity in a matchday programme.

So there was outrage over the England midfielder's choice to move to a country where same-sex relationships are illegal.

Now, the 33-year-old will be returning to European football, joining Dutch club Ajax after cutting short his three-year deal with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq.

Even though he's apologised for the hurt caused by his initial move, some fans tell BBC Newsbeat his reputation has been "tarnished".

"I don't think that he could just come back and things be forgotten easily," says Khya Gott, a member of LGBT England fan group Three Lions Pride.

She feels it will be hard for Henderson "to get back in people's good books... because the damage has been done".

"It's more than just LGBTQ+ people that are disappointed in him," she says, referring to the moment fans booed the ex-Liverpool midfielder when he played for England against Australia last year.

Khya Gott says it will take time for fans to forgive and forget Henderson's move to Saudi Arabia

Henderson's move was branded a "slap in the face" by Jake Daniels, the UK's only openly gay active male professional footballer.

It's a view shared by some grassroots LGBT players.

"It was just really disappointing," says Joe Thompson who plays for the Yorkshire Terriers in Middleton.

"It felt like the money was more important than morals," he says, referring to Henderson's reported £700,000-a-week earnings at Al-Ettifaq.

"It's quite easy to put an armband on and it's quite easy to put the laces on.

"But actually the work needs to go further than that."

'Genuine support'

In an interview with The Athletic last year, Henderson said he'd been "really hurt" by fans' reaction.

He said having someone with his views and values in Saudi Arabia would only be "a positive thing", as it was harder to change views from afar.

But Joe feels there was "just radio silence" on LGBT issues in the six months Henderson spent at Al-Ettifaq.

Like Khya, he thinks the "ship has sailed" in terms of Henderson being a role model for the community again.

"If he comes out and says that, retrospectively, he totally regretted the move I think then he could get some credit back," Joe says.

"But I still think there's got to be, myself included, so many people who just can't ever see him in the same light.

"I think he will always be somewhat tainted by the decision to go."

Footballer Joe Thompson says Henderson's reputation will always be "tainted" after playing in Saudi Arabia

From the point of view of some Ajax fans, Henderson's signing is a positive move for the Dutch side, which has been struggling this season.

The club is in fifth place, 23 points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven in the Eredivisie.

Luke Nijar, tells Newsbeat he was "50:50" on the signing but overall he's happy with the move, saying the squad is "struggling in midfield".

He says he found Henderson's decision to go to Saudi Arabia a "bit strange" after showing support for the LGBT community.

But the new deal, "from a football perspective, can only mean good things for Ajax".

Another fan, Scott Stuurman, agrees it's a positive sporting move.

"From a football [side] it's really great that he's coming to Ajax," he says.

"We need someone who is experienced like him. I really, really hope that he makes us play better."

Ajax fan Scott Stuurman says it's a good move for the club but Henderson has let the LGBTQ+ community down

But Scott, who is part of an LGBT supporters' group, admits it's quite hard to only focus on the football.

"It's very difficult as a straight person to understand how it is to live as a minority and I think that's why he let a lot of people down."

And he says if Henderson wears rainbow laces or a One Love armband in matches, it won't seem genuine to him.

"I would rather have someone wear it who genuinely supports us," Scott says.

• Ajax move a football decision - Henderson

• 'Henderson's Saudi Arabia exit ends miserable episode'

• Henderson's Saudi move a 'slap in the face' - Daniels

Jordan Henderson has maintained he cares about the causes he's been involved in and said his intention has always been "to help causes and communities".

Ajax host RKC Waalwijk on Sunday but Henderson is unlikely to make his debut in that game while waits for international clearance.

Newsbeat has approached Jordan Henderson for further comment.

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