Jordan Henderson finally issues apology to those he offended with Saudi transfer
Jordan Henderson has apologised for his failed and heavily criticised move to Saudi Arabia, but insisted his "beliefs have never changed and never will".
The England midfielder ended his stay at Steven Gerrard's Al Ettifaq this week, just six months after making the switch from Liverpool to the Saudi Pro League. Henderson was among the biggest names to head to the Middle East as part of their summer recruitment drive.
But Henderson faced accusations of hypocrisy, having been a major advocate of the LGBTQ community - standing up for their rights whilst he was captain at Anfield - yet choosing to move to a country where homosexuality is illegal and still punishable with the death penalty. He's now joined Dutch giants Ajax and has said sorry for any hurt he has caused.
At his unveiling in Amsterdam the Englishman said: "If anyone was offended or feel as though I upset them, that's on me, that was my decision and I apologise for that. It was never my intention.
"I just want to look forward now and concentrate on being the best player I can for Ajax. My beliefs have never changed and never will. Again I can only apologise if people feel let down."
Klopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected
Henderson had originally claimed that his presence in Saudi Arabia could be a force for change due to his beliefs. Little change occurred during his time there and when the club posted his signing on their social media accounts back in the summer, they chose to grey out the rainbow armband he wore whilst at Liverpool.
Henderson was duly booed on his first return to English soil when he played for the Three Lions at Wembley with Gareth Southgate slamming the jeers and defending his players after the contest.
Henderson also claimed his switch was a "football decision" and added: "I think a lot of people would like me to criticise the Saudi League, that's not something I'm going to do. I have a lot of respect for them and those that made me feel welcome."
Jordan Henderson's switch to Saudi Arabia was widely criticised (Francois Nel/Getty Images)Asked if he had any regrets, he continued: "Looking back at the time, it was a big decision and one I felt was right for me. Things change quickly in football and I'm happy to make this decision [to come to Ajax] and I felt this opportunity too big to turn down for me.
"In life, if you want to call them regrets or mistakes you can but they're only mistakes if you don't learn from them and I learnt a lot of things about Saudi. I haven't got a bad word to say about anyone. I have friends over there I'll speak to forever and there were still positives to come out of it.
"In the end it didn't turn out the way we both wanted to, but it ended on great terms."
Quizzed on his decision to move to Amsterdam, despite Ajax's relative struggles this term, he said: "It's one of the biggest club in the world. The biggest club in Holland. I felt it was a great opportunity personally for me to come to a huge club to try and help them go forward and be as successful as possible.
"It had nothing to do with anything bar a footballing decision. I felt it was a perfect opportunity to come to such a huge club and showcase what I've done my whole life - dedicate my life to football and be as successful as possible.
"The welcome here has been incredible and I'm very overwhelmed to be given the opportunity to be at this great football club."
Jordan Henderson speaking at his Ajax unveiling on FridayEarlier, speaking at his Liverpool press conference ahead of their meeting with Bournemouth this weekend, Jürgen Klopp was pressed on his former captain’s latest move.
Liverpool transfer window winners & losers as £37m spent on Klopp's "great day"
The German leapt to the defence of Henderson, insisting: “People are really critical of Hendo about the move, first there and now coming back.
“I don’t know how we dare, always judging these kind of things. We have one life and we have to make decisions and sometimes our decisions are perfect in the first case and sometimes it is different after you made them.
“He was there and it was 100 per cent an interesting experience. I spoke to him and 99 per cent of football things there were absolutely fine. It is the start of something and it is not like it is here – imagine it would immediately be like that. There are many things to develop in the future but [he was] never really critical or saying ‘It’s not possible that that’s not there’.
“But then he thought it is better for him and the family to come back to Europe and now he is at Ajax Amsterdam, a sensational club in a difficult moment.”
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
