Former Liverpool captain and gay rights advocate Jordan Henderson has apologized for hurting the LGBT+ community with his move to Saudi Arabia.
The English international, who has come under heavy criticism since leaving for Saudi club al-Ettifaq at the end of July, said in an interview published on Tuesday by The Athletic that he understands the anger directed at him but believes that his arrival in the Saudi championship can only be “positive”.
“There can be a lot of criticism, negative things about me, and it’s hard to bear,” he says in this interview. “For people to criticize me and say that I turned my back on them, that really, really hurt me. »
“All I can say is that I apologize to them, that I’m sorry for making them feel this way,” he added.
But the new al-Ettifaq player continues: “People knew my opinions and my values before I left and still know them today. I think having someone with those opinions in Saudi Arabia is only positive. »
Known for his commitment to the LGBT + cause – he notably wore rainbow laces during Euro 2020 – Jordan Henderson said he did not rule out doing it again, but he added that would not “disrespect the religion and culture of Saudi Arabia.” »
The Gulf state, where homosexuality is banned, has been accused of trying to “sportily wash away” its human rights record by luring some of the world’s best players to its domestic league, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema.
Henderson denied that the money was the reason for his transfer and added that the amounts mentioned by the British media are exaggerated. According to the press, the 33-year-old international, whose contract runs for three years, will receive up to 816,000 euros per week. “You can believe me or not, but in my career, money has never been a motivation. Never. »
2023-09-05 14:42:53
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