Saudis leap to Henderson’s defence and ‘very proud’ of ex-Liverpool star
Jordan Henderson's move to the Saudi Pro League examined | Football Digest
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has received backing from Saudi Pro League chief Michael Emenalo with the ex-Chelsea director insisting he is ‘very proud’ of the midfielder’s decision to leave England for Al-Ettifaq. The England international has come under heavy scrutiny for turning his back on the Premier League for the riches of the Middle East, where same-sex relationships are illegal, having previously stated his support for LGBTQ+ people.
The 33-year-old joined up with fellow Reds icon Steven Gerrard after he was appointed their new coach in July on a lucrative contract, with the Merseyside club receiving a £13m fee.
It brought a sorry end to his 12-year association with the club, with Henderson appearing 492 times before leaving for the Arabian Gulf, as many pundits and former players questioned his motives for the move.
The midfielder has attracted widescale criticism for choosing a lucrative contract over his beliefs, although he issued a denial in a recent interview that he had moved to Saudi Arabia purely for financial reasons.
READ MORE Henderson opens up on Liverpool alarm bells, £700k salary and feeling unwanted[INSIDE STORY]
But Emenalo, who served as Chelsea’s director of football until 2017, has taken up a new role as the Saudi Pro League’s director and sought to defend Henderson, insisting he should not be ‘vilified’ for standing up for his values.
“Of course I’m very proud. I’m very proud of him because he chose, of his volition, to express support and values that he shares and he shouldn’t be vilified for that,” Emenalo told Sky Sports News.
“I am also very proud of him that he was able to make a decision professionally that allows him and his family to completely live the life they want to live. The Jordan Henderson I know hasn’t changed.
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“I met him recently and he is passionate about his game, his life and he remains passionate about his beliefs. I have nothing but the best wishes for Jordan, and I have no doubt that he not only lead on the pitch but also off the pitch on some of these issues, and he will be a good addition [for his club].”
It comes just days after Henderson issued an apology to the LGBTQ+ community where he admitted he ‘understood’ the sense of betrayal from people he had previously supported.
Saudi Arabia operates under sharia law and same-sex relationships and sexual activity are judged as criminal offences. But Henderson has suggested he could help sway views in the country on such matters.
“I can understand the frustration [in the LGBTQ+ community],” Henderson told The Athletic. “I can understand the anger. I get it. All I can say around that is that I’m sorry that they feel like that.
“My intention was never, ever to hurt anyone. My intention has always been to help causes and communities where I felt like they have asked for my help.
“Now, when I was making the decision, the way that I tried to look at it was I felt as though, by myself not going, we can all bury our heads in the sand and criticise different cultures and different countries from afar. But then nothing’s going to happen. Nothing’s going to change.”
Henderson is currently with the England squad preparing for Saturday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Ukraine in Wroclaw, Poland.
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