20 July 2023 , 11:18
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Let's face it, if Jordan Henderson was not just paying lip-service to the plight of the LGBTQI+ community in Arab states and if he was not just feigning support for those who campaign against human rights abuses in the area, he will be selling his principles and morals if he moves to Saudi.
That much is, disappointingly, undeniable.
If he joins Al-Ettifaq, the only symbol on the new armband of the man once described as the Premier League captains’ captain will be a dollar sign.
“I do believe when you see something that is clearly wrong and makes another human being feel excluded you should stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them,” he wrote a couple of years ago, on the occasion of the annual Rainbow Laces campaign against homophobia and discrimination.
If that belief was burned into his psyche, then the Saudis will be buying his soul. Simple.
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If he joins Steven Gerrard in Saudi, he will not be dishing out any rainbow laces to his team-mates, that is for sure.
He will not be standing ‘shoulder-to-shoulder’ with anyone from the LGBTQI+ community in Saudi, that is for sure.
And he will be tainting his legacy, that is also for sure.
Henderson has left Liverpool's pre-season camp in Germany (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)At best, his departure to the land of public executions and the state where same-sex relationships are illegal, would be met, at best, by indifference from Liverpool fans, more commonly by disappointment and, at worst, by genuine anger.
This, after all, has been a player who has been THE leader through the successful times under Jurgen Klopp.
But while £700,000 a week might be enough to purchase his principles - and don’t forget it is still ‘might’, it is still ‘if’ - Henderson is not daft.
He is bright, he is personable, he has always come across as thoroughly decent. A top pro, a top guy. Speak as you find.
Henderson has faced a fierce barrage of criticism (Getty Images)And he knows he will have to face fierce questioning if he moves to Al-Ettifaq.
So what will be his ‘defence’ if he moves?
There is not a convincing one but if he was to ask why, despite the obvious hypocrisy, he should be a main focal point for those who are (quite rightly) fiercely critical of this tidal wave of Saudi sports washing, he would have a point.
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How about Liverpool Football Club? This means more? If fans are critical of Henderson for taking the Saudi money, how about the club?
Is it ok for the club to pocket blood-stained Saudi cash? Do they not care where the money, the £12million, comes from?
In keeping with most other football clubs, it seems not.
In keeping with most other sporting institutions and authorities, it seems not.
In keeping with most other big businesses in this and most other countries, it seems not.
In keeping with this government of ours and so many others, it seems not.
If - again, it is still an ‘if’ - Henderson goes to Saudi, he will be unable to refute the charges of hypocrisy.
But he will be able to point out that those who really should be taken to task for the shameful sporting sell-out to Saudi Arabia are those in genuine positions of power … not in the centre of midfield.