Liverpool's Jordan Henderson's Saudi Arabia move; betrayal or not?

Posted : 15 July 2023

The decision of Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson to accept a lucrative contract to move to Saudi Arabia is being viewed as a betrayal of his strong support for the gay community.

While some argue that individuals should pay a price for such choices, the author questions why governments and politicians often face no expectations for similar actions.

The move to Saudi Arabia is considered more significant than Ronaldo's arrival, and Jermaine Pennant, a former Liverpool player, questioned the huge salary offered to Henderson, believing it to be unwarranted based on his football performance.

The author points out that Henderson's move is not solely about football, but rather a demonstration by the Saudi regime that money from the Persian Gulf can buy anything, including values held by the Western world.

Despite being a vocal advocate for the gay community, Henderson is now heading to a country where homosexuality is outlawed and may be punishable by death. This stark contrast has drawn strong criticism, especially from organizations representing the gay community and supporters of liberal values.

The author discusses the trend of wealthy foreign entities acquiring sports clubs, and how the acceptance of such takeovers questions the consistency of upholding principles.

The author mentions the acquisition of Newcastle United by Saudi investors and highlights the hypocrisy in not demanding similar principles from governments and organizations. This raises questions about why individuals like Henderson are held to higher moral standards compared to larger entities.

The Saudi move to acquire Henderson is seen as part of their broader efforts to change the perception of their regime, known as "sportswashing." The author criticizes the Western world for not taking a strong stance against countries like Qatar and Saudi Arabia that oppose basic LGBT rights, despite hosting major sporting events.

Henderson's decision has created a moral dilemma for him, as he is torn between upholding his principles and the allure of a lucrative contract. The author reflects on the rising trends of religiosity, nationalism, and xenophobia globally and suggests that Saudi Arabia is a flag bearer of these values.

In such a climate, the author questions the public's expectations from individuals when governments and organizations often face no repercussions for similar actions.

The author concludes by suggesting that in the current public climate, fewer public figures may have the courage to take moral stands, and Henderson's move may discourage others from speaking out.

The contradiction in reactions to Henderson's move compared to other similar acquisitions raises further questions about societal values and priorities.

Liverpool's Jordan Henderson's Saudi Arabia move; betrayal or not?

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