Henderson justified his move to Al Ettifaq due to his reduced playing time at Liverpool and said his values have not changed despite the new environment.
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson the transfer from Anfield to Saudi Arabia’s Al Ettifaq was one of the most talked about player deals of the summer.
Henderson, 33, who has visibly supported sexual minorities, moved to play in a country where same-sex intercourse is a crime.
– Henderson has betrayed the LGBT+ community. My community. He takes money from a country where I can be killed just for who I love, wrote for example, the Mirror’s sports editor Jacob Leeks.
Henderson said Tuesday In an interview with The Athletic that he changed the club because he was not promised playing time in the former model. Liverpool signed Henderson to play in midfield Dominik Szoboslain and by Alexis Mac Allister.
– It’s difficult if I don’t get to play when I’ve been with the club and served as captain for so long. Playing in the England national team is important to me. The European Championships are also coming. “If someone at Liverpool had said we want you to stay, we wouldn’t be doing this interview,” Henderson, who represented Liverpool for 12 years, said.
– I never wanted to hurt anyone. I care about the values and communities I have represented. It hurt when people criticized and said I turned my back on them. I can only apologize for making them feel that way. My values remain, even if I go elsewhere.
According to media reports, Henderson earns 800,000 euros per week at his new club. Keskikenttä said in the interview that the amount was lower, but admitted that the salary was an important factor in the creation of the contract.
Henderson was asked if he would wear anti-sexuality ribbons on the pitches in Saudi Arabia, as he did in England.
– I wouldn’t rule out that option, but I wouldn’t behave disrespectfully towards the religion and culture of Saudi Arabia. If it’s disrespectful, I won’t do it.
More criticism
Liverpool’s LQBT+ fan group Kop Outs wrote after the interview on the messaging service X that they do not accept Henderson’s explanations.
– This sounds more like an attempt to rebuild Henderson’s personal brand. This is not enough, actions speak louder than words.
Vice President of the Pride in Football group Joe White evaluatethat Henderson might even harm local LGBT people if he defends minorities in Saudi Arabia.
– The people suffering the consequences are ordinary LGBT people, not well-known football players.