Henderson on Saudi move, LGBTQ+ critics: Not driven by money - ESPN

Jordan Henderson has insisted his move to Saudi Arabia was not motivated by money and sought to appease the LGBTQ+ community by claiming he can be a force for good in the region.

The 33-year-old left Liverpool this summer to join Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq in a £13 million ($16.3m) deal that provoked anger given the country's appalling human rights record.

Henderson had previously been a strong advocate of the LGBTQ+ community — supporting the «Rainbow Laces» campaign and championing other anti-discriminatory initiatives — but England fan group 3LIONSPRIDE plan to turn their back on the midfielder if he plays against Ukraine or Scotland later this month in protest at his move.

Speaking to The Athletic, Henderson defended his decision, saying the challenge of developing a fledgling league under his former teammate Steven Gerrard's tutelage was the reason he left Liverpool after 12 years.

«All I've ever tried to do is help,» Henderson said. «And when I've been asked for help, I've gone above and beyond to help. I've worn the laces. I've worn the armband. I've spoken to people in that community to try to use my profile to help them.

»That's all I've ever tried to do. I'm not going to sit here saying, 'Why are they criticising me?' I understand it. These are all the things I was thinking about, and I do care. When I hear stuff like, 'You've turned your back on us', that hurts me. I do care. I have family and friends in the LGBTQ+ community.

«I'm not one of these people who goes home, forgets about everything and is just like, 'I'm fine, my family is fine, just crack on.' I do think about things a lot. But at the same time, I knew people can look at it like that and they're entitled to their opinion, they're entitled to