Jordan Henderson 'sorry LGBTQ+ community feel that way' but stands by controversial Saudi Arabia move
Jordan Henderson has opened up on his controversial move to Saudi Arabia
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Jordan Henderson has insisted he 'won't rule out' promoting LGBTQ+ rights in Saudi Arabia following his move to Al-Ettifaq earlier this summer - and is 'sorry' some fans have changed their opinion of him.
However, the Liverpool legend has also revealed he won't risk disrespecting the Saudis, too, despite the 'values' he has.
Henderson has long been a supporter and advocate of the LGBTQ+ community, wearing rainbow laces last season while also sporting a rainbow on his captain's armband during his time at Anfield.
But the 33-year-old has attracted criticism for moving to Saudi, an area of the world where many face persecution for how they feel and act.
Jordan Henderson wore rainbow laces and a rainbow armband during his time at Liverpool
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Now, speaking to The Athletic, Henderson has set the record straight.
The England international understands the backlash he's received and is 'sorry' some have changed their opinions of him.
"Obviously the LGBTQ+ community," he said. "I can understand the frustration. 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 had 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 also insists he remains an ally.
The former Liverpool and Sunderland star 'won't rule out' advocating progression in the country.
But the 33-year-old also won't risk upsetting Saudis, their religion and their culture.
"I wouldn’t rule that out," he said when asked specifically about rainbow laces.
"But at the same time, what I wouldn’t do is disrespect the religion and culture in Saudi Arabia.
"If we’re all saying everybody can be who they want to be and everybody is inclusive, then we’ll have to respect that.
"We’ll have to respect everyone. And by doing something like that, if that did disrespect the religion, then no, I’m not going to do that.
"But if the opportunity comes where I can do it and it doesn’t, then yeah, because that’s my values."
Henderson also shielded himself by saying he 'wasn't a politician' but was proud of the values he has.
"Firstly, I’m not a politician. I never have been and never wanted to be," he added.
"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. "But what I’m saying is people know what my values are and the people who know me know what my values are.
"And my values don’t change because I’m going to a different country where the laws of the country might be different.
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Jordan Henderson now plays under Steven Gerrard at Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq
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"Now, I see that as a positive thing. I see that because, from their (Saudi) side, they knew that before signing it.
"So they knew what my beliefs were. They knew what causes and campaigns I’ve done in the past and not once was it brought up.
"Not once have they said, 'You can do this, you can’t do this.' And I think it can only be a positive thing to try to open up like around Qatar.
"In the end, around Qatar, having a World Cup there shined a light on certain issues where I think in the end, I might be wrong, but they changed some rules and regulations to be able to host the World Cup and I think that’s positive.
"That’s the way you try to create positive change. And I’m not saying that I can do that. I’m one person."