Sports move to Saudi Arabia
England fans boo their captain
As of: 2:54 p.m. | Reading time: 2 minutes
Substituted by coach Southgate (r.) after 62 minutes: Jordan Henderson
What: Action Images via Reuters
Jordan Henderson’s move to Saudi Arabia is causing a heated reaction in England. He was booed at his first home international match after the transfer. It’s also about the LGBTIQ+ community. Coach Gareth Southgate has a clear opinion.
He played for Liverpool FC for 13 years before joining Al Ettifaq in Saudi Arabia in the summer. Now Jordan Henderson, the captain of the English national football team, played an international match in front of a home crowd for the first time since his move – and received whistles and boos because of his transfer.
Gareth Southgate, the national coach, defended his captain afterwards. “I don’t understand it,” Southgate said of the reaction of supporters who booed Henderson in the 1-0 friendly against Australia in London. He couldn’t understand why a player who “gives his heart and soul for England” wouldn’t be supported. “How is this going to help him or the team?”
Numerous fans, especially from the LGBTIQ+ community, criticized the 33-year-old Henderson for the change. The midfielder had repeatedly spoken out against homophobia before his transfer.
“What he does for England is extraordinary,” says his coach
The abbreviation LGBTIQ+ stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer and others. Homosexuality is banned in Saudi Arabia.
also read
Henderson was booed by some fans when he was substituted in the 62nd minute at Wembley. Southgate then encouraged Henderson, who had worn the captain’s armband in the absence of FC Bayern’s rested striker Harry Kane. “His commitment and what he does for England is extraordinary,” said the 53-year-old. “His role within the team and on the pitch is phenomenally important.”
