Gareth Southgate has urged England fans to back Jordan Henderson after the team’s LGBTQ+ supporters revealed plans to protest his inclusion in the team over moving to Saudi Arabia.
The 33-year-old ended a 12-year association with Liverpool to join Al Ettifaq for a reported £700,000-a-week, although that figure was subsequently disputed by Henderson himself.
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That denial came in an interview explaining his decision, which triggered a further backlash after he claimed he had not moved for the money and would continue to be an outspoken supporter of the LGBTQ+ community where possible within Saudi Arabia’s cultural boundaries.
Amnesty International have accused the Saudis of “sportswashing” their poor human rights record by investing heavily in the Saudi Pro League and England’s LGBTQ+ supporters group, Three Lions Pride, are planning to turn their backs on Henderson if he lines up for England against Ukraine in Poland on Saturday.
