Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Soccer Star Defends Decision To Play In Saudi Arabia After Being Called Out By LGBTQ+ Fans

Jordan Henderson
FA/The FA via Getty Images

Liverpool's Jordan Henderson faced harsh criticism when he took a $15 million deal to play in Saudi Arabia—and now he's defending himself against the backlash by saying having someone like himself in the anti-gay country is 'only a good thing.'

Former Liverpool soccer star Jordan Henderson just made his first appearance at Wembley Stadium after signing with a Saudi Arabian club over the summer, and the displeasure of the crowd was audible.

Henderson, an LGBTQ+ ally, faced heavy backlash from his fans when he took $15 million to play in anit-gay Saudi Arabia.


After the match, Henderson sat down with Channel 4 Sports and defended his decision to move, claiming he has "no regrets" and that having someone like him in Saudi Arabia is "only a good thing."

Henderson said:

“I think having someone like myself, with the values that I have, in Saudi Arabia is only a good thing."
“Before I went to Saudi people knew the groups I supported and helped in the past.”
“My values haven’t changed as a person just because I’m going to a different country to play football.”

Henderson also claimed that there haven't been any restrictions put on him, but in return he is expected to "respect their values, religion, and culture, as well."

Ummmm... who wants to tell him?

You can watch, below.

Henderson also shared he believed some of the criticism stemmed from his wording during different interviews, specifically the way he said he didn't go to Saudi Arabia solely for the money.

He previously told The Athletic:

“People will see this club come with loads of money and he’s just gone, ‘Yeah, I’m going.’ When in reality that just wasn’t the case at all."
"People can believe me or not, but in my life and my career, money has never been a motivation. Ever."

But then he added:

“Don’t get me wrong, when you move, the business deal has to be tight."
"You have to have financials, you have to feel wanted, you have to feel valued. And money is a part of that."
"But that wasn’t the sole reason. And these possibilities came up before money was even mentioned.”

But viewers of the interview weren't changing their minds.








Henderson also shared with The Athletic  that the way people have reacted to his move is hurtful.

"There can be a lot of criticism, a lot of negativity around me as a person. And that was difficult to take."
"But I just feel as though, because I do care about different causes that I’ve been involved in, and different communities… I do care. And for people to criticise and say that I’d turned my back on them really, really hurt me."

And as for the disappointment from the LGBTQ+ community, he is sorry... "that they feel like that."

"And obviously the LGBTQ+ community. I can understand the frustration. I can understand the anger. I get it."
"All I can say around that is that I’m sorry that they feel like that."

More from News/lgbtq

Country Singer Gavin Adcock went on a drunken rant over Beyonce's "Cowboy Carter" success.
Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images; Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Country singer rants over Beyoncé album

Country singer Gavin Adcock became the title of his next album, “Own Worst Enemy,” after going on an unhinged rant about the legitimacy of Beyoncé's Grammy-winning and record-breaking Cowboy Carter in the country music genre.

Adcock, whose upcoming album is set for release next month, was filmed during a live performance last weekend, complaining that Beyoncé and her album are not “country music.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Dionne Warwick; Tiny Chef
Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Images; @ToonHive/X

Dionne Warwick Is Ready To Go To War With Nickelodeon Over 'Tiny Chef' Cancellation

You know your campaign against a show's cancellation is achieving widespread attention when you get people like venerated singer Dionne Warwick advocating for you.

Nickelodeon's The Tiny Chef Show was recently cancelled, much to the dismay of its viewers and creators. It was also a genuinely surprising decision, since the show has won an Emmy.

Keep ReadingShow less
Woman relaxing in sunhat and sunglasses
Photo by Jordan Bauer on Unsplash

People Explain Which 'Small Luxuries' They Can't Live Without

Many of us have committed to being fairly financially frugal and not overspending on silly, unnecessary things.

That is to say, sometimes, it's fun to splurge on something one time to see what it's like to experience that small luxury.

Keep ReadingShow less
two women in emotional distress seated on couch
Ben White on Unsplash

People Who've Experienced Grief Share The Most Tone-Deaf Things They've Heard

Grief, loss, trauma are all part of life. But for most people, the emotions and reactions that go with them are difficult to witness.

So they rely on platitudes to fill any holes in conversation. That's rarely a good idea.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump
Mehmet Eser/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

Trump Demands 'Boss Of AT&T' Fix Equipment After Failed Conference Call In Bizarre Meltdown

When most of us have technical difficulties, we contact tech support or customer service.

But if you're President of the United States, just ranting on social media—then having your White House Press Secretary post a screenshot of your post on a social media platform people actually use—is apparently the answer.

Keep ReadingShow less