06 September 2023 , 10:01
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Of all the predictably risible elements of Jordan Henderson’s ‘justification’ for his move to Saudi Arabia, the most ridiculous was the old chestnut about it shining a light on issues in that repressive state.
It is the sort of familiar nonsense that was routinely trotted out by high-profile Newcastle United fans when the Saudis bought their club.
It is a line used by golfers who take the Saudi cash and it is one that was formerly used by boxing promoters - but they don’t bother any more because taking big fights there is now just the norm.
Just as the Saudis intended.
“I think people know what my views and values were before I left and still do now,” Henderson said. “And I think having someone with those views and values in Saudi Arabia is only a positive thing.”
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No. It. Is. Not.
And it is almost impossible to think that Henderson actually believes what he is saying here.
Having someone with those views and values in Saudi Arabia is only a positive thing?
It is ONLY a positive thing for the state of Saudi Arabia that has just sentenced a man to death for tweeting dissent against the regime to his ten followers on social media.
It is ONLY a positive thing for the state of Saudi Arabia that forbids same-sex relationships.
It is ONLY a positive thing for the state of Saudi Arabia that was widely implicated in the barbaric murder of a journalist.
It is ONLY a positive thing for the state of Saudi Arabia that executed 81 men in ONE DAY last year.
Henderson spent 12 years at Liverpool before making the move to Saudi Arabia (Getty Images)The idea any high-profile sportsman or woman going to earn preposterous amounts of money in Saudi could somehow effect change there is preposterously - or, more likely, deliberately - ignorant.
There is only one effect Henderson’s presence - and the presence of every other elite athlete - could have on the Saudi state’s hardline take on human rights … and that is to embolden them.
That is what you imagine sportswashing in its purest form to be.
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If Henderson really does hold strong views in support of the LGBTQ+ community, will he express them in Saudi Arabia?
Of course not. Not a chance.
So, if he does have those views and values, the Saudis have bought them.
And that is the bottom line.