The Astonishing Move: Jordan Henderson's Shocking Transfer to Al Ettifaq in Saudi Pro League

Jordan Henderson's move to Saudi Arabia has caused a seismic impact in the world of football. This transfer holds tremendous significance, rivaling even Cristiano Ronaldo's transition to the same league last year. As the captain of Liverpool, a seasoned England international, and a triumphant Champion League victor, Henderson's revolutionary signing for Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League certainly solidifies his high-profile status.

The move holds significant significance for Henderson as a player and for his reputation as an advocate for equality, considering Saudi Arabia's track record on human rights. Moreover, from a sporting perspective, it heightens the visibility of the Saudi Pro League, bolstering its credibility as a top choice for prominent players and potentially influencing salary and contract discussions for those based in the Premier League.

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

Henderson's switch to Saudi has sparked significant discussion regarding its implications for his reputation as a prominent advocate and symbol of diversity, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community.

In the Liverpool programme of October 2022, Henderson expressed his pride in being the club captain and participating in the Rainbow Laces campaign by Stonewall. This campaign aligns with our own Red Together initiative and celebrates values such as unity, togetherness, and inclusion. Henderson has consistently worn rainbow laces and will continue to do so, as he believes that this visible support can bring about positive change. He also emphasizes the importance of spreading the message that football is for everyone, encouraging us all to carry this message into our homes, workplaces, and daily lives.

Understanding more enables us to learn and unite, fostering an inclusive society that embraces and accepts all. Football, in particular, has its role to fulfill, and I am genuinely honored to contribute in my own modest way.

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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Henderson's decision to open up privacy options has faced criticism from Liverpool LGBT+ fan group Kop Outs. The group urged the midfielder not to proceed with the move in a tweet on Wednesday, recalling a previous conversation where Jordan expressed willingness to assist: "When @JHenderson met Paul Amann of Kop Outs in August 2021, he promised his support and urged us to reach out for any assistance."

"Stand by your words as a committed advocate and supporter of #LGBT+ rights, women's rights, and the fundamental principles of human dignity. Avoid traveling to Saudi Arabia."

Stonewall, the organization behind the Rainbow Laces campaign, has expressed gratitude for Henderson's previous efforts and looks forward to the possibility of future collaboration in Saudi Arabia.

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"Jordan Henderson's commitment to LGBTQ+ inclusion in sports and fitness is greatly appreciated. By proudly donning our Rainbow Laces, he has used his influential platform to advocate for change. Over the past decade, there has been significant progress in public attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals in sports, and athletes like Henderson have played a crucial role in this transformation," said Robbie de Santos, director of external affairs at Stonewall in an interview with We.

"We cannot ignore the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Saudi Arabia, but we remain hopeful that Henderson will continue his efforts towards creating a world where everyone can participate in sports," de Santos added.

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 disappointment over the decision, considering the unwavering support shown by Henderson towards the group and vice versa.

"Jordan has actively voiced his support not only for LGBT rights but also for human rights in general. He has been particularly eager to demonstrate his allyship towards the LGBT+ community," stated White.

It is disheartening for us, as 3 Lions Pride, to see someone who vocally supports our right to watch football in a safe environment and opposes discrimination and arrest, then choose to play in a country that criminalizes our existence and restricts human rights organizations. It feels like all of the previous words and efforts were merely a PR stunt. This connection is evident through the banner we have depicting his goal celebration with rainbow laces, which has accompanied us to various England matches, both at home and abroad, as a symbol of support. This newfound revelation is truly disappointing.

Are footballers actually social activists?

According to our correspondent Kaveh Solhekol, it seems as though we have become overly excited about a player who has merely fulfilled the minimum requirements. This individual stands out because they are one of the few advocating for our inclusion in the sport. However, reminiscent of the actions of David Beckham, they have swiftly abandoned their created legacy at the first opportunity to secure a lucrative million-pound contract by opting for the highest bidder.

Amnesty International asserts that Saudi Arabia is engaging in sportswashing to mask its egregious human rights violations. By relocating to Saudi Arabia, one could argue that Jordan Henderson is participating in a sportswashing initiative.

The crucial question to ponder is whether these footballers genuinely function as social activists. Are they truly committed to the causes that they are purportedly passionate about? I have always harbored doubts.

During my time in Qatar for the World Cup, I was assigned to cover the tournament as well as the England team. Surprisingly, I did not hear any members of the England squad express concerns regarding human rights in Qatar. However, I witnessed their initial intent to wear the One Love armband, which unfortunately had repercussions as they risked receiving yellow cards. Consequently, they made the decision to refrain from wearing it. It is worth noting that they played against Iran, a nation that has prohibited women from attending football matches for over four decades, yet neither the England players nor the FA addressed this issue.

I find myself questioning whether any footballers have ever spoken out about the treatment of refugees in our country or the ongoing cost of living crisis. Furthermore, I wonder if any players have joined movements such as Just Stop Oil. But the truth is, none of these initiatives have been championed by footballers individually. Instead, they tend to participate in campaigns supported by their respective clubs, leagues, or FAs.

Will Henderson still be selected for England?

According to Rob Dorsett from We News:

Jordan Henderson had a conversation with Gareth Southgate prior to his decision to join Saudi Arabia, in order to ensure that his move would not impact his future with the English national team. However, Southgate was unable to provide any assurances about Henderson's selection. Nonetheless, Henderson was informed that he would not be immediately disregarded by the England manager as he evaluates his squad for the upcoming 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

Considering his game-time prospects at Liverpool, Henderson discussed with Jurgen Klopp whether continuously being on the bench for Premier League matches could potentially affect his chances of playing for the national team. Henderson, who has a strong rapport with Southgate, has expressed his commitment to not retire from international football. He eagerly wants to contribute to England in the upcoming Euro qualifiers and the finals in Germany next summer.

The standard of football in the Saudi Pro League will significantly decline compared to the elite level of the Premier League. This move raises serious concerns about his future with the England team. Southgate insists that his players should be playing regularly in the biggest games of world football in order to handle pressure and develop skills to thrive in crucial game-changing moments.

Without regular exposure to competitive football at the highest level, it becomes difficult for Henderson to demonstrate his readiness for the upcoming Euros and convince Southgate of his capabilities.

Henderson, who recently celebrated his 33rd birthday, is aware that as his playing career nears its end, opportunities to increase his 77 international appearances may become limited.

This realization may have crossed his mind during the Qatar World Cup as well. However, when he partnered with Jude Bellingham in the final group game against Wales, their special connection stunned both Henderson and manager Southgate. The duo displayed exceptional synergy and seemed to possess a remarkable understanding of each other's movements.

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Henderson formed a strong midfield alliance with Jude Bellingham during England's World Cup campaign. Liverpool's captain played a crucial role in England's triumph, featuring in almost all their matches, with the exception of the 2-1 victory against Italy in March. He has also been instrumental in England's flawless Euro qualifying campaign.

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

According to Kaveh Solhekol from We News, Henderson's international experience will be put to the test in just five weeks' time. At the beginning of September, England manager Gareth Southgate will announce his squad to face Ukraine in Poland, followed by a supposedly friendly match against Scotland.

"There will undoubtedly be some impact, but Premier League clubs must consider their financial fair play obligations. It is impossible for a player over the age of 30 to aspire to earn the same astronomical sums of money that are being offered to the high-profile players being pursued by Saudi clubs this summer.

Furthermore, the money available in Saudi Arabia is also exempt from taxes as long as the individual becomes a resident of Saudi Arabia and refrains from spending a full tax year in the UK. As it stands, 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 our report, there is a significant amount of money being offered to a specific group of players. However, in exchange for this financial benefit, they will be joining a league that held the 59th position in the ranking of domestic leagues worldwide as of January. Their ultimate goal is to rapidly elevate their status and become one of the top five leagues globally.

There seems to be a significant disparity in quality between the PIF-owned clubs, which are acquiring renowned players, and the remaining teams in the SPL.

Should Henderson finalize his move to Al Ettifaq, he will be joining a club that concluded last season in seventh place. Al Ettifaq is not included among the self-proclaimed Big Four clubs, all of which are owned by PIF.

If he chooses Dammam, his manager would be Steven Gerrard, but he wouldn't have the same star-studded squad as other teams. Al Ittihad, for instance, has already acquired the likes of Karim Benzema, N'Golo Kante, and Jota this summer. Henderson, alongside Gerrard, would be the most prominent player at his new club.

The Ministry of Sport in Saudi Arabia is committed to nurturing young homegrown players by investing in coaching and infrastructure, recognizing that solely relying on well-established players, most of whom are over 30 years old, is not enough to develop football in the country.

The SPL players representing the Saudi national team demonstrated their capabilities by defeating the eventual champions Argentina during the World Cup in Qatar in November.