Topics: Football, Transfers, Premier League, Jordan Henderson, Liverpool, Saudi Arabia
Thomas Hitzlsperger posted a scathing response to Jordan Henderson’s move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq.
The Saudi Pro League outfit, managed by Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard, have signed Henderson for around £12million plus add-ons on a three-year contract.
The controversial move sees Henderson end a 12-year spell at Liverpool during which he captain the Anfield club to the Champions League and their first Premier League crown in 30 years.
However, the move has come with a moral consideration. Henderson has been a fierce advocate for human rights and is a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community.
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Indeed, homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death in Saudi Arabia, while the state stands accused of a spate of other abuses including placing harsh restrictions on the right to political protest and women’s rights.
And upon the deal having been finalised, former German international Hitzlsperger, one of the only openly gay past or present professional footballers in the world, was scathing of Henderson’s decision.
Hitzlsperger on Henderson’s Saudi move
Hitzlsperger claimed that while Henderson could "play wherever he wants to play", the 33-year-old’s past support for the LGBTQ+ community had not been genuine.
In a tweet, the former Aston Villa and West Ham midfielder said: “So Jordan Henderson finally gets his move to [Saudi Arabia].
“Fair play to him, he can play wherever he wants to play. Curious to know though what the new brand Jordan Henderson will look like. The old one is dead!
“I did believe for a while that his support for the [LGBTQ+] community would be genuine. Silly me…”
In the comments, a Liverpool fan argued that Henderson’s professional decisions could be dislocated from his political views, to which Hitzlsperger replied: "This says it all.
“His gay mates are not safe if they want to watch him live. No one forced him to support the [LGBTQ+] community. He chose to. Why??? Doesn’t make sense to me anymore.”
Meanwhile, the LGBTQ+ fan group Pride in Football said in a statement: "When you see someone who has been an ally so publicly transfer to a club in a country where LGBT+ people are attacked and imprisoned, it is disappointing.
"Good luck in Saudi Arabia Jordan, but you have lost the respect of so many people who valued you, and trusted you."
Liverpool's own LGBTQ+ fan group Kop Outs added: "Given choices he has recently made, Kop Outs doubt & question if Henderson was ever an actual ally."
