What you have to remember is that LGBT+ groups in the UK are protected by law. The Saudis could try and make their life difficult but there is nothing legally that they can do about them.
Kop Outs! seem pretty gutted by the Henderson move and I can understand that entirely. He has been a very vocal supporter and ally so this move seems like he was merely paying lip service. My feeling is that he genuinely supports the LGBT community but this move will likely put a stop on any public statements.
I wasnât aware that Robbie Fowler has decided to manage a team there as well. Fowler, Gerrard and Hendo all practicing sportswashing in Saudi Arabia⌠where is that puke emoticon when you need it?
Perhaps I am being naive but whatâs wrong with the club having an academy in Saudi Arabia? Whatâs wrong with the club finding and nurturing some local talents potentially improving their life and maybe expanding their horizons? I donât think that itâs sponsored or operated by the Saudi state and I doubt that they are asking Saudi kids about their sexual orientation.
To be fair, he did do pretty well in Australia and India. Not sure what his time in Thailand was like, but in Australia and India, he kept good financial management of the clubs he mananged, played entertaining and attacking football (at Perth) but played a fairly solid and structured defensive style at NQ Fury which is what their board wanted from him, built and improved the clubs standings within their respective leagues. In Australia he did well bringing young players through into the first team.
All things that translate across the world for club managers when clubs look to bring in a manager that hasnât managed within their own country
Thereâs no need for all this drama. He was a Liverpool FC player and captain. He was a good Liverpool FC servant. He gave us his best years. He has chosen to follow the money and have a BIG final pay day from dubious employers. It was his choice and does not reflect badly on Liverpool FC. End of story. Move on.
Seriously, if you canât see why one day supporting LGBT rights and the next going to work in a country where being gay is punishable by death is problematic, you might want to think again.
Itâs easy for us, as straight people, to dismiss the concerns of people who are directly affected by this kind of regime as we are unlikely to be persecuted for our sexual orientation.
Unfortunately, it looks like footballers will be even less likely to show support for such causes if they think it will be problematic for their careers.
