Jordan Henderson breaks silence on England fans’ boos as £700,000-a-week star vows ‘I won’t change who I am’
JORDAN HENDERSON admits he has to take flak over his move to Saudi Arabia “on the chin”.
The ex-Liverpool skipper was booed by England fans after being accused of betraying the LGBTQ+ community.
Jordan Henderson accepts he has to accept the flak for moving to Saudi ArabiaGetty
GettyHenderson was booed by England fans during the Australia game[/caption]
He said: “It’s not nice your own fans booing. If people want to boo if I’m playing in a different country, that’s fine.
“Everyone is going to have an opinion on me playing in Saudi.
“I’ve spoken in the past about my reasons for that. Whether people believe me or not is up to them.
“But it won’t change who I am and what I do for this team and for my country. I give absolutely everything, every time.”
England boss Gareth Southgate condemned fans’ booing of Henderson, who was Three Lions captain for Friday’s 1-0 friendly win over Australia at Wembley.
But ahead of tomorrow’s crunch Euro 2024 qualifier against Group C rivals Italy, Hendo admitted: “I have not been surprised (by the reaction from the LGBTQ+ community) because I can understand the reasons in what they’re saying.
“I look at it from a different point of view, obviously, but I can understand it and I’ve got to take that on the chin.”
Henderson, 33, left Anfield for a £700,000-a-week deal with Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq over the summer.
He had been one of the most influential voices in football to speak up for LGBTQ+ rights.
And many feel let down by his decision to move to a country where homosexuality is illegal.
He also expressed support for Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup.
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And 79-cap Henderson added: “Whenever I bump into anyone on the street it’s always been positive stuff, with nice things said.
“I’m not a politician, I’m not going to get into politics. All I’ve ever done is concentrate on my football and try to help people who have asked for my help.
“When I’m out there, I’m just playing football, trying to improve the league, trying to improve my own team and win games. It’s the same when I come here.”
