{"id":235303,"date":"2023-09-08T22:48:05","date_gmt":"2023-09-08T22:48:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lovemainstream.com\/?p=235303"},"modified":"2023-09-08T22:48:05","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T22:48:05","slug":"southgate-defends-henderson-from-criticism-despite-lgbtq-protests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lovemainstream.com\/lifestyle\/southgate-defends-henderson-from-criticism-despite-lgbtq-protests\/","title":{"rendered":"Southgate defends Henderson from criticism despite LGBTQ+ protests"},"content":{"rendered":"
Gareth Southgate and Harry Kane have rallied round under-fire midfielder Jordan Henderson as the England vice-captain faces protests from their LGBTQ+ supporters tonight.<\/p>\n
England face Ukraine in Poland where victory would see them take a huge step towards Euro 2024.<\/p>\n
But the game is set to be overshadowed by protests from England\u2019s LGBTQ+ fanbase who oppose Henderson\u2019s move to Saudi Arabia this summer.<\/p>\n
Homosexuality is outlawed in Saudi and punishable by the death penalty.<\/p>\n
Joe White, co-chair of the supporters\u2019 group Three Lions Pride, has revealed angry fans are considering turning their backs in protest at Henderson, who is hopeful of starting.<\/p>\n
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Gareth Southgate has defended Jordan Henderson from criticism despite the co-chair of Three Lions Pride revealing that fans may turn their backs in protest\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Henderson was seen as an ally to the LGBTQ+ community but his move from Liverpool to Al-Ettifaq sparked feelings of betrayal and anger<\/p>\n
But speaking yesterday, head coach Southgate \u2014 who may hand starts to Marc Guehi and Ben Chilwell in Wroclaw \u2014 said: \u2018I don\u2019t pick the team based on external reaction, but he\u2019s a very experienced professional. He is very mature at handling any situation. He\u2019s trained really well this week. His feeling towards that community hasn\u2019t changed.<\/p>\n
\u2018I am sure all of our fans are going to get behind the team when the game starts. I am sure they will get behind Jordan when the game starts as well.\u2019<\/p>\n
Captain Kane added: \u2018Every England fan is entitled to their opinions, and what they want to do. Like Gareth said, the majority of England fans will be behind the team and once the game starts will be fully behind everyone.<\/p>\n
\u2018Jordan is a good friend and a great person. Everyone here knows how good a person he is. He has got a job to do here, as we all do and that\u2019s where his focus will be. Once we\u2019re on the pitch that is all we will think about.\u2019<\/p>\n
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Harry Kane added that ‘Jordan is a good friend and a great person. Everyone here knows how good a person he is’<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Kane has admitted England\u2019s players are in the dark over whether next summer\u2019s European Championships in Germany will be Southgate\u2019s final tournament in charge. The FA have started putting together a succession plan in case Southgate leaves his role after the tournament.<\/p>\n
Kane added: \u2018We don\u2019t know if it\u2019s going to be his last tournament or not. Only he can make the decision. All of us, we want to win it for ourselves and for the team, and we want to win it for the boss as well.<\/p>\n
\u2018He has been a huge part of a lot of our success so far, and to think where we were as a team, where we are now, the biggest part of that has come down to him, not just on the pitch, but off the pitch, connections with everyone as well. There is added motivation.\u2019<\/p>\n