It may be tempting to take aim at the popstars and sporting legends plying their trade in an oppressive regime (Picture: Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Not too pleased, but not too surprised.
That’s how I felt when Liverpool club captain Jordan Henderson neared the completion of a move to Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ettifaq, reportedly more than tripling his wages in the process.
The England star’s former supporters have accused him of rank hypocrisy for joining the raft of top stars moving to the Saudi Pro League, thanks to his previous stance on LGBT+ issues.
While I completely see their point, and don’t disagree that there’s hypocrisy at play, I don’t think it’s Jordan Henderson’s problem.
As a society, it’s our own fault for putting their faith in a fallible man who never asked to be anyone’s idol or role model.
I’m not here to defend Saudi Arabia, but if we want a stand to be taken against that despotic regime, we should challenge those who have the power to change things, like politicians, not expect the world from celebrities who will almost always put fame and fortune ahead of principles.
The 33-year-old, in the twilight of his footballing career, looks set to do what many before him and many after him will do, taking the money and adjusting his personal morals to suit the enviable pay packet that can secure financial security for his family for multiple generations.
Hendo has been particularly supportive of the LGBT+ community and often went the extra mile in speaking out when too many of his colleagues did little more than the required photo opportunities around Pride.
Personally, I think his history of support should still count for something. Just because he’s accepted a life-changing amount of money doesn’t necessarily mean he no longer cares about the community.
He can of course still be an ally, he’ll just be a much richer one now, and maybe he’ll even use some of his new-found riches to back good causes financially.
However, Kop Outs, the Reds’ official LGBT+ fan group released a statement condemning the move, writing: ‘Kop Outs have valued the allyship shown by Jordan Henderson.
‘We are appalled and concerned that anyone might consider working for a sportswashing operation for a regime where women & LGBT+ people are oppressed.
‘We hope that Jordan Henderson proves to be a man of his word and stays true to the values of our club, which so far he has been an absolute embodiment of.’
Their disappointment is palpable, and in many ways understandable, but I just don’t see why Jordan Henderson should be the one to make a stand against Saudi Arabia.
After all, he’s hardly the first.
Fellow Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard accepted a job out there – one which will see him manage Hendo.
Who can blame any footballer, boxer or popstar for doing business with Saudi Arabia when our own government is doing the very same thing?
The world’s most famous sportsman, Cristiano Ronaldo, was the first high profile name to enter the Gulf state, and very few people registered much surprise.
And it’s not limited to football. Anthony Joshua has twice taken his boxing skills there and I didn’t hear much anger over his fights in the Gulf – it seems many people simply expect that boxers will follow the money – so why shouldn’t we assume the same for footballers?
The former world champion is undoubtedly a role model to kids in this country, and his face is still being used to sell everything from deodorant to energy drinks, but him going to Saudi Arabia didn’t dent his reputation in the same way it has Henderson.
Entertainers are cashing in too. Under the rule of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS, a slew of singers have played concerts for the masses in Saudi Arabia.
Korean heartthrobs BTS, Justin Bieber, Liam Payne, Mariah Carey and Backstreet Boys are just a few of the blockbuster names that have performed, facing accusations they are being used to help change the perception of the controversial country.
I don’t blame any of them for agreeing to perform in Saudi Arabia – they are but artists performing for the highest bidder.
They are not my moral guides, and I don’t look to them for anything other than a good foot-tapping melody.
And who can blame any footballer, boxer or popstar for doing business with Saudi Arabia when our own government is doing the very same thing?
If our leaders decided to put pressure on that whole regime by implementing sanctions, I think it would be easier for us to hold our celebrity citizens to higher standards.
However, in the same way that Henderson was swayed by cash incentives, so too is the British Government.
Saudi Arabia is the UK’s largest trading partner in the Middle East and is worth about £18billion to us each year.
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It’s worth noting that UK-made weapons have been extensively used in Saudi Arabia’s attacks on neighbouring Yemen, a conflict that has so far killed hundreds of thousands of people and created the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe.
The UK is clearly making billions from that – so it doesn’t seem right to focus our ire on footballers cashing in on a payday.
When it comes to a moral compass, it is quite clear to me that our politicians are putting the pound ahead of principles.
Saudi Arabia without question has a horrendous human rights record, yet from Rishi Sunak down, the UK officially considers them an ally.
It may be tempting to take aim at the popstars and sporting legends plying their trade in an oppressive regime, but if we want change, and want to take a stand against Saudi Arabia, we need to focus on where the real power lies.
And it isn’t on the football pitch.
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MORE : The mind-blowing salary Jordan Henderson will earn at new Saudi club Al-Ettifaq
MORE : ‘It’s sad and strange’ – Jurgen Klopp reacts to Jordan Henderson leaving Liverpool for Saudi Arabia
It doesn’t seem right to focus our ire on footballers cashing in on a payday.
