Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson spoke exclusively to The Athletic this week about his controversial decision to join Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq and play in a country that criminalises homosexuality.
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Jordan Henderson: I strongly believe that me playing in Saudi Arabia is a positive thing
Here, The Athletic offers a selection of Henderson’s comments — edited in places for brevity — with analysis from women’s football editor Chloe Morgan, in which she, as part of the LGBTQ+ community, shares her opinion about what the England international said.
Jordan Henderson: I’m not a politician. I never have been and never wanted to be. I have never tried to change laws or rules in England, never mind in a different country where I’m not from. So I’m not saying that I’m going there to do that. People know what my values are and the people who know me know what my values are.
I’ve gone above and beyond to help. I’ve worn the laces. I’ve worn the armband. I’ve spoken to people in that community to try to use my profile to help them. That’s all I’ve ever tried to do. I’m not going to sit here saying, “Why are they criticising me?” I understand it. These are all the things I was thinking about, and I do care. When I hear stuff like,…
