Harry Maguire stands up for ‘hypocritical’ teammate: ‘Don’t whistle at players’
Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at 11:57 AM
Some English football fans have turned against Jordan Henderson, as was evident again on Tuesday evening during the match between the Three Lions and Italy (3-1 win). The 33-year-old Al-Ettifaq midfielder was once again the target of whistles during the match at Wembley due to his transfer to Saudi Arabia. Teammate Harry Maguire stands up for Henderson.
Henderson opted for a lucrative transfer to the Saudi Pro League this summer. The experienced controller was known as a champion of the LGBTQ+ community during his years as Liverpool captain, but currently lives in a country where homosexuality is illegal.
Henderson was criticized online for his choice – people called him hypocritical – when it became known that he would be making the transfer to Saudi Arabia, but during this international match he was confronted with public opinion in England for the first time. During his 21-minute substitute appearance, Henderson was continuously jeered by the English supporters. It was a hit with every ball contact.
Henderson was also whistled at against Australia (1-0 win) last Friday, but Maguire is not okay with the reaction of the English fans. “True England fans don’t whistle at players. Don’t whistle at players! Don’t boo players who dedicate their lives to football and do everything they can to give this country great memories and special moments for them and their families,” the defender said of Manchester United during the press conference after the match against Italy.
Henderson wants the World Cup in Saudi Arabia
While Henderson profiled himself in the past as a champion of the LGBTQ+ community, he showed a different face after his transfer to Al-Ettifaq. “I’m not a politician. I just focus on football. I’m here now to play football, make the league better, make my team better and get better myself.” Henderson even hopes for a World Cup in Saudi Arabia.
“I think Saudi Arabia can organize a very good World Cup,” said Henderson in a promotional video of the country. “Exciting times are coming and I think it can be a very special World Cup if Saudi Arabia is allowed to host the tournament. I have been here for two months now and there have never been any problems with fans or other matters. I think the fans will enjoy it here, even if they will have to wait a long time until the start of the tournament.”
Saudi Arabia hopes to host the 2034 World Cup. “If you look at how the World Cup in Qatar went, it was a very good tournament. The fans really enjoyed it. That will be no different in Saudi Arabia,” concluded Henderson.
2023-10-18 10:25:00
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