From Anfield to the Arabian Nights: Jordan Henderson's Sensational Move to Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League

Jordan Henderson's move to Saudi Arabia has caused a major uproar in the world of football. This transfer holds immense significance, comparable to Cristiano Ronaldo's transfer to the same league last season. Being a prominent figure as the captain of Liverpool, an England international and a winner of the Champions League, Henderson's signing is groundbreaking for Al Ettifaq and the Saudi Pro League.

The move has significant implications for Henderson as a player and his reputation as an advocate for equality, considering Saudi Arabia's human rights record. Moreover, it elevates the profile of the Saudi Pro League in the realm of sports, reinforcing its credibility as a viable choice for top-tier players. This, in turn, may influence salary and contract negotiations for players based in the Premier League.

How does the move affect Henderson's reputation as an ally for the LGBTQ+ community?

In this analysis, we delve into the significant repercussions of Henderson's transition to Saudi Arabia and its implications for his influential role as a advocate and representative for diversity, specifically within the LGBTQ+ community.

In the Liverpool programme of October 2022, Henderson expressed his pride in being the club captain and his unwavering belief in the values celebrated by the Rainbow Laces campaign. He emphasized the importance of unity, togetherness, and inclusion, stating that these values align perfectly with those of the club and the city. Henderson also acknowledged his consistent wearing of rainbow laces and highlighted the positive impact of visible support. He concluded by emphasizing the message that football is for everyone and encouraged others to spread this message in their own homes, workplaces, and daily lives.

The greater our comprehension, the greater our capacity to acquire knowledge and the greater our solidarity on matters like this, the closer we will get to cultivating an inclusive society that embraces everyone.

Football plays a role in this endeavor, and as I mentioned earlier, I am immensely honored to contribute my small part.

Those strong words - celebrated at the time - have been used to criticise Henderson for hypocrisy since this transfer became apparent.

Being gay is illegal and punishable by death in Saudi Arabia.

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The request is for you to uphold your words as a vocal supporter and advocate for LGBT+ rights, women's rights, and fundamental human dignity. Refrain from visiting Saudi Arabia. Stonewall, the organization behind the Rainbow Laces campaign, has expressed gratitude for Henderson's previous contributions and is hopeful for future collaboration in Saudi Arabia.

Stonewall's director of external affairs, Robbie de Santos, expressed gratitude to Jordan Henderson for his support of LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports and fitness. Henderson's action of wearing our Rainbow Laces has made a significant impact in improving public attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals in the sports community over the past decade. Athletes like Henderson play a crucial role in advocating for equality, and their allyship is greatly appreciated. We acknowledge the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Saudi Arabia and hope that Henderson will continue his efforts towards creating a world where inclusivity is the norm in sports.

Meanwhile, Liverpool's avatars on their Twitter and Instagram pages are the club crest on a rainbow flag.

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Joe White, a member of the England fan group known as 3 Lions Pride, expressed his disappointment, describing the decision as "disheartening." He emphasized the support that Henderson has consistently demonstrated towards the group and, in turn, the support they have reciprocated.

According to White, Henderson has been vocal not only about advocating for LGBT rights but also for human rights in general. He has actively shown his support and alliance with the LGBT+ community.

As someone who has passionately expressed their support for our right to watch football in a safe environment, free from discrimination or fear for our safety or legal consequences, it is disheartening to see this person choose to play in a country that criminalizes our existence and bans human rights organizations. It feels like their previous words and actions were merely a publicity stunt.

This connection is particularly significant for us, 3 Lions Pride, as we proudly display a banner featuring their goal celebration from the Ukraine game in the Euros, where they wore rainbow laces. This banner has accompanied us both at home and abroad, as we cheer them on, but now it feels deflating.

Are footballers actually social activists?

According to We News' Kaveh Solhekol, it seems that our enthusiasm may have been excessive for a player who, in truth, has only done the bare minimum in advocating for our right to be included in the sport. In a similar vein to David Beckham, as soon as a lucrative multi-million pound deal presented itself, he quickly aligned himself with the highest bidder, giving the impression that he has relinquished the legacy he had previously established.

Amnesty International accuses Saudi Arabia of engaging in sportswashing to conceal its severe human rights violations. By relocating to Saudi Arabia, Jordan Henderson can be implicated in this sportswashing effort.

A critical question to ponder is whether these footballers are genuine social activists. Do they truly advocate for the causes they appear to be passionate about? Personally, I have always harbored doubts.

During my time in Qatar for the World Cup, I covered the tournament and specifically focused on the England team. Surprisingly, I did not hear any members of the England squad addressing the issue of human rights in Qatar. Despite their initial intention to wear the One Love armband, they ultimately decided against it upon realizing that they would receive a yellow card for doing so. Additionally, they played against Iran, a country notorious for prohibiting women from attending football games, yet neither the England players nor the Football Association (FA) voiced any concerns or opinions on the matter.

It raises the question of whether any footballers have ever spoken out about the treatment of refugees in their home countries or the pressing issue of the cost of living. Have any footballers shown support for organizations like Just Stop Oil? Unfortunately, the reality is that footballers tend to engage in campaigns backed by their clubs, leagues, or FAs, rather than taking individual stands on such important matters.

Will Henderson still be selected for England?

According to We News' Rob Dorsett, it is essential to acknowledge that Jordan Henderson is a human being and that the situation is not simply black and white. If you feel disappointed by his actions, that is understandable. However, it is up to Henderson to explain his motivations. Hopefully, he will have an in-depth discussion with a journalist who can ask him probing questions to understand why he made those choices and whether he believes he has betrayed many people. Nonetheless, it is crucial that this conversation takes place outside of Saudi Arabia.

Jordan Henderson had a conversation with Gareth Southgate before ultimately agreeing to his profitable transfer to Saudi Arabia, hoping to obtain reassurances that his move would not hinder his future with the England national team. Nonetheless, Southgate could not provide any assurances regarding Henderson's selection. On a positive note, Henderson discovered that he would not be immediately disregarded by the England manager as he weighs his options for the approaching autumn internationals.

"Henderson took a considerable amount of time to consider his options.

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Henderson and England head coach Gareth Southgate are regularly in touch

Having considered various factors, including discussions with Jurgen Klopp, Henderson had to assess the amount of playing time he would receive if he stayed at Liverpool. Additionally, he contemplated whether the potential lack of game-time might hinder his chances of representing his country, especially if he regularly found himself on the bench during Premier League matches.

Henderson has clearly communicated to Southgate, with whom he shares a strong bond, that he has no intention of retiring from international football. He expressed his eagerness to participate in the remaining Euro qualifiers and the upcoming finals in Germany next summer.

The move to the Saudi Pro League raises doubts about his future with the England national team, as the level of football in this league is significantly lower compared to the elite Premier League. Southgate has consistently expressed the importance of his players competing regularly in high-stakes matches, as it allows them to handle pressure and excel in pivotal moments.

Without the opportunity to consistently face top-level competition, how can Henderson persuade Southgate that he is prepared for the upcoming European Championship and a victorious campaign?

Henderson, who recently celebrated his 33rd birthday, is aware that as his playing career progresses, there may be fewer opportunities to increase his tally of 77 international appearances.

This realization may have also crossed Henderson's mind during the Qatar World Cup. However, when he partnered with Jude Bellingham in the final group game against Wales, their exceptional connection and near-telepathic understanding became evident to Southgate, who recognized it as a remarkable discovery. The midfield duo performed exceptionally well together, surpassing expectations.

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Henderson's partnership with Jude Bellingham in England's midfield during the World Cup was highly effective.

Liverpool's captain has proven to be crucial to England's success, with participation in the majority of their games since then (excluding the 2-1 win in Italy in March). Moreover, he has played a significant role in their perfect Euro qualifying campaign.

"The first opportunity to gauge Henderson's international experience will arise in the initial days of September, precisely five weeks from now, as Southgate is scheduled to announce his squad to take on Ukraine in Poland. This encounter will be followed by a so-called "friendly" match against Scotland."

Will his reported £200,000-a-week salary have a knock-on effect for player contract negotiations in the Premier League?

The Premier League clubs need to consider financial fair play regulations, so the impact of this situation may be limited. Players over the age of 30 cannot expect to earn the same high salaries that are being offered by Saudi clubs this summer.

Furthermore, the money available in Saudi Arabia is also tax-free if the player becomes a Saudi resident and avoids staying in the UK for an entire tax year. Currently, this would require anyone leaving the UK to remain in Saudi Arabia until April 2025.

How quickly could signings such as Henderson elevate the quality and standing of the Saudi Pro League?

According to We News' Kaveh Solhekol, while a select group of players have the opportunity to earn a significant amount of money, they are making a trade-off by joining a league that was ranked as the 59th-best domestic league in the world in January. The ultimate goal is for this league to become one of the top five leagues worldwide as quickly as possible.

There appears to be a significant disparity in the quality level between the PIF-owned clubs, which are securing top-tier players, and the other teams in the SPL.

If Henderson chooses to join Al Ettifaq, he will be becoming a part of a club that finished seventh in the previous season and does not fall within the category of the so-called Big Four, who are under PIF ownership.

He would choose Steven Gerrard as his manager, but his squad would lack the star players found in other dressing rooms. For instance, Al Ittihad, the reigning champions, have already secured the signings of Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, and Jota this summer. If Henderson were to move to Dammam, he would be one of the biggest names at the club alongside Gerrard.

To enhance football in Saudi Arabia, the Ministry of Sport prioritizes the development of young local players through investments in coaching and infrastructure, acknowledging that big names, mostly above 30, have limitations in this regard.

In a remarkable display of talent, Saudi players, exclusively comprised of SPL players, triumphed over eventual champions Argentina in the World Cup held in Qatar in November.