Jordan Henderson was highly criticized by some LGBTQ+ campaigners for joining Al-Ettifaq from Liverpool in the summer as same-sex sexual activities are illegal in Saudi Arabia.
Henderson, who left the Kops after having made 492 appearances says that he was really hurt by the criticism as his intentions were never to hurt anyone by that move.
“My intention was never, ever to hurt anyone. My intention has always been to help causes and communities,” Henderson told the Athletic.
“There can be a lot of criticism, a lot of negativity around me as a person. And that was difficult to take.
“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.”
For the past few years, Henderson has been a vocal ally of the LGBTQ+ community and once campaigned for the Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces.
“I’ve gone above and beyond to help [the LGBTQ+ community]. 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.
“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.”
“All I can say is that I apologise, I’m sorry that I’ve made them feel that way. But I haven’t changed as a person.”
In the Henderson’s welcome video that Al-Ettifaq released on social media, the rainbow armband was suddenly greyed out to which the former Liverpool captain says he didn’t know about it.
“I didn’t know anything about it until it was out,” Henderson said.
“It’s hard for me to know and understand everything because it is part of the religion. So if I wear the rainbow armband, if that disrespects their religion, then that’s not right either.
“Everybody should be respectful of religion and culture. That’s what I think we’re all trying to fight for here in terms of inclusion and everything.”
