We feel betrayed and hurt by you, to Jordan Henderson, in this open letter.

Jordan Henderson has received an open letter from Paul Amann, the creator of Kop Outs, the official LGBT+ supporters group for Liverpool.

Kop Outs, the official LGBT+ supporters group for Liverpool, was started by Paul Amann.

As the LGBT+ supporters’ representative, Paul sits on the Liverpool Supporters’ Board.
To discuss issues relating to equality in football and elsewhere, he frequently meets with Jordan Henderson, Jurgen Klopp, and other supporters.

Paul wrote an open letter to Henderson after the contentious transfer of the former Liverpool captain to Saudi Arabia:.

We’ve already thanked you for your support of LGBT+ people. We greatly appreciate your decision to include us in programs and to denounce homophobia and the LGBT+ community. As a Liverpool player, we supported you, and we admired you as our team’s captain for bringing home every trophy.

Your principles seemed to be the ideal fit for both our club and our city. Regarding equality, human decency, and dignity, you spoke in an honest manner. You were with us for twelve years, giving commendable performances both on and off the field. On the basis of your declared allyship, you were nominated for British LGBT Ally of the Year.

You had the chance to say goodbye to Anfield in style as you left Liverpool. Your two more years were left on your extremely lucrative contract. Clubs around the world outside of oppressive regimes are still looking for players your age and ability. You had the chance to show footballers can be principled and stand by their convictions to your family, teammates, fans, and the footballing community.

The values you have previously openly defended are directly contradicted by your decision to sign a contract with Al-Ettifaq, a company with headquarters in Saudi Arabia. Amnesty International has discovered the following in Saudi Arabia.

the use of torture as a form of punishment.

A rise in executions.

There is no freedom of speech.

Nobody objected.

There is a lot of discrimination against women.

In police custody, brutality is frequently used.

Without cause, you may be taken into custody and placed under arrest.

Religious prejudice is pervasive.

Numerous migrant workers have been deported.

Groups that support human rights are forbidden.

The death penalty is another punishment for homosexuality. This is a far cry from the principles you have previously advocated in public.

Kop Outs has seen many honorable people amplify our messages for voicing these worries about your choice to leave. Sadly, some hateful messages have also been posted to us by so-called fans who support your decision to travel to Saudi Arabia.

Most of our members are shocked and incensed by your decision to support our oppressors. This decision is deemed intolerable by many.

You will forever be remembered as the legendary captain who won it all. Your failure to uphold the values you promoted, however, has severely damaged your standing as a man.

You are not the first and might not be the last person to pass away. Given that Robbie Rogers, a former teammate of Gerrard’s, was an out gay man, it is extremely troubling that Gerrard left. This is a betrayal of a former teammate’s trust. It is also extremely disappointing that Robbie Fowler was selected to manage in Saudi Arabia. All parties involved had other places to conduct business that were free of human rights abuses. options for managing and playing in locations with possibly more long-lasting football leagues. Marco Silva of Fulham has declined playing opportunities twice and has remained true to his beliefs.

At Kop Outs, we worry that players’ relocation to Saudi Arabia will make it less likely for them to publicly support LGBT+ rights in the future. If they also wish to travel to a country such as Saudi Arabia, they might be concerned that their words might come back to haunt them.

Words are not as powerful as actions.
Many Kop Outs members feel betrayed and hurt by your decision, and your words are now being called into doubt as a result. Be proactive and dependable if you want to be an ally. “.