From Liverpool to Saudi Arabia
Henderson understands fan anger and defends himself
09/05/2023 1:31 p.m
Jordan Henderson is one of many football professionals who are drawn to Saudi Arabia this transfer summer. The former Liverpool captain has received a lot of criticism for having previously campaigned for gay rights. But he rejects an objection.
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has expressed understanding for criticism from the LGBT+ community following his controversial move to Saudi Arabia. “I can understand the frustration. I can understand the anger. All I can say is that I’m sorry that they feel that way. My intention was never to hurt anyone,” said the 33-year-old in an interview with “The Athletic “.
Henderson spoke for the first time since the transfer to Al-Ettifaq about the background. Because he had previously campaigned for the rights of homosexuals, the headwind was particularly violent. But nothing has changed in his attitude. “My values don’t change because I go to another country where the laws may be different,” he said.
Rather, his presence could cause a rethink. “I think people knew my views and values before I left and they still know them today. And I think it’s good to have someone in Saudi Arabia with those views and values,” he said Henderson. He still has many friends in the LGBTQ+ community.
Henderson ‘really hurts’ criticism
The fact that Al-Ettifaq had colored Henderson’s rainbow tie black and white in a video with game scenes caused a sensation. He did not want to rule out wearing the bandage at his new club. “But at the same time I would not disregard the religion and culture in Saudi Arabia,” he said.
Thomas Hitzlsperger, among others, had criticized the change. “You’ve lost the respect of a lot of people who trusted you,” wrote the former National and Premier League player, who revealed he was gay in 2014. The LGBT+ fan network Pride in Football also called the transfer “disappointing”.
Henderson described these reactions as “hard to take. (…) That people criticized me and said I had turned my back on them really hurt me a lot.” Henderson also emphasized that money was not the decisive factor for the change. “People may or may not believe me, but in my life and career, money has never been a motivation,” he said. He dismissed reports of weekly earnings of 815,000 euros as “not true”.