Jordan Henderson has been accused of sportswashing and helping to conceal Saudi Arabia’s human rights record by a Liverpool LGBTQ+ fan group after the midfielder defended his move to Al-Ettifaq.
The former Liverpool captain completed a £12 million move to Al-Ettifaq, the Saudi Pro League club led by Reds legend Steven Gerrard, in July.
Henderson’s decision to move to Saudi Arabia after 12 years at Anfield sparked criticism, with the 33-year-old facing claims the transfer had undermined his public support for the LGBT community.
During his time at Liverpool, he had spoken out in favor of the rainbow laces campaign and ending LGBT discrimination in football.
Liverpool LGBT fan group Kop Outs had said they were “shocked and concerned” by Henderson’s move as homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia and persecution of gay people is widespread.
Jordan Henderson was criticized by the LGBTQ+ community for moving to Saudi Arabia
Henderson has received criticism that the move undermined his support for the LGBT community
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Henderson told The Athletics that he understood the anger surrounding his move to Saudi Arabia, with the 33-year-old claiming he moved to the country to “grow the sport around the world.”
The England international said people were aware of his “visions and values” and claimed his presence in Saudi Arabia could ultimately be a “positive thing”.
“I can understand the frustration. I can understand the anger. I understand,” Henderson said.
“All I can say about that is I’m sorry they feel that way. It was never my intention to hurt anyone.
“It has always been my intention to help causes and communities that I felt asked for my help.
“I think people know what my views and values were before I left, and they still do now. And I think it’s only positive to have someone with those views and values in Saudi Arabia.’
Kop Outs responded to Henderson’s interview by accusing the 33-year-old of sportwashing.
The midfielder wore a rainbow armband in support during the Rainbow Laces campaign, highlighting the importance of standing alongside the LGBT+ community when at Liverpool.
“No acceptance by Henderson of his role in sports laundering, in an attempt to cover up the disgusting Saudi human rights record,” Kop Outs wrote on Twitter.
“This sounds more like an attempt to rebuild his ‘brand’, sorry isn’t good enough @JHenderson, actions speak louder than words.”
Henderson was previously nominated for ‘Football Ally’ at the 2021 LGBT+ Awards after making headlines with his supportive tweet to Liverpool fan Keith Spooner during the Rainbow Laces campaign.
The midfielder had also declared himself ‘proud’ to be considered an ally, saying it was important to stand alongside the LGBT+ community during Liverpool’s program briefings during the Rainbow Laces campaign in 2021.
“I do believe that if you see something that is clearly wrong and that makes another human being feel left out, you should stand shoulder to shoulder with him or her,” Henderson wrote at the time.
‘You also have a responsibility to inform yourself better about the challenges they experience.
“That’s where my own stance on homophobia in football is rooted. Before becoming a soccer player, I was a parent, a husband, a son, a brother and a friend to the people in my life who mean so much to me. The idea that any of them would feel left out of playing or attending a football game simply because they are and identify as who they are baffles me.
“The idea that they had to hide from it in order to be accepted? But that’s exactly how many members of the LGBT+ community feel. We know this because they tell us. So we have to listen, support them and work to make it better.”
Al-Ettifaq was accused of making the rainbow bracelet gray when Henderson was revealed
Henderson defended himself against suggestions that he had turned his back on human rights advocacy by moving to Saudi Arabia, insisting that “all I’ve ever tried to do is help.”
“All I can say is I apologize, I’m sorry I made them feel that way. But I haven’t changed as a person,” Henderson said.
Al-Ettifaq was accused of making the rainbow captain’s armband gray during Henderson’s reveal video in July.
The armband was worn as part of the Premier League’s collaboration with Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign.
Former Premier League footballer Thomas Hitzlsperger, who came out as gay in 2014, suggested that Henderson’s move to Saudi Arabia led him to believe his “alliance was not genuine.”
Henderson claimed he wouldn’t rule out wearing the bracelet or rainbow laces in Saudi Arabia, but said he would respect the country’s religion and culture.
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