Henderson was announced as Al Etiffaq’s latest signing on Thursday
Jordan Henderson officially completed his move to Al-Ettifaq on Thursday, bringing an end to a 12-year association with Liverpool.
Henderson, who captained the Reds to a first league title in 30 years and lifted the club’s sixth Champions League win, heads to Saudi Arabia under a cloud of controversy.
During his time at the Reds, Henderson was a huge supporter of the LGBTQ+ movement, often speaking in support and campaigning on their behalf however his move has left a sour taste among several groups.
Homosexuality is considered illegal in the Gulf State and can be punishable via prison, which significantly undermines the work done by the England international as he makes his move.
As part of his announcement, the Saudi Pro League side included a montage of highlights throughout the 33-year-old’s career but some noticed that Al Etiffaq had specifically changed the colour of the video so that it didn’t show the LGBT armband.
Social media reacted to the video, pointing out the obvious edit.
“Making the armbands black and white so you can’t see the rainbow. We see you,” said journalist Daniel Storey.
Tariq Panja tweeted: “Brings it home when you see that rainbow armband he was fond of wearing switched to greyscale for welcome video.”
“Aye pal just turn his rainbow armband black & white with a massive square for half the video, no one will notice,” wrote a third.
Another wrote: “Discolouring all the captain’s armbands, what an interesting choice.”
His move to the Saudi Pro League now also sees the former Sunderland man become the highest-paid English footballer in the world, with the 33-year-old reportedly earning £700,000 a week.
He will now link up with Steven Gerrard, who became manager of Al Ettifaq and could be joined by Michail Antonio, with reports suggesting that Gerrard may make a move for the West Ham forward.
Related links:
- Kop Outs release statement after Jordan Henderson completes Saudi move
- The 1975 banned from performing in Malaysia after Matt Healy kisses male bandmate on stage
- BBC apologise for ‘inappropriate’ question to Morocco captain at Women’s World Cup
