Jordan Henderson booed by fans at Wembley on his return to England following at Al Ettifaq transfer
Jordan Henderson received a frosty reaction following his substitution against Australia.
The ex-Liverpool midfielder, who moved to the Middle East in the summer, could be heard being booed when he came off the pitch at Wembley in the 62nd minute.
Henderson, who currently plays for Al Ettifaq in the Saudi Pro League, was captaining the Three Lions for the friendly clash with Harry Kane left on the bench.
But when his name was heard over the speakers, boos reigned down, before talkSPORT commentator Jim Proudfoot said: “A few boos for Jordan Henderson as he leaves the field to be replaced by Kieran Trippier.”
Henderson’s decision to move to the Gulf nation was highly-criticised in the summer considering his past vocal support for the LGBTQ+ community.
The 33-year-old was accused of hypocrisy as in 2021 while discussing gay rights, he said: “The idea that any of [my family] would feel excluded from playing or attending a football match, simply for being and identifying as who they are, blows my mind.”
He now plays in a country where gay people can be given the death penalty.
Speaking after his return to the England squad in September, Henderson remarked: «I think there was always going to be criticism regardless of what I did, whether I stayed, whether I went.
»So basically I had to make the decision on what was best for me and my family.
«And obviously the LGBTQ+ community. I can understand the frustration.
»I can understand the anger. I get it. All I can say around that is that I’m sorry that they feel like that.
«My intention was never, ever to hurt anyone. My intention has always been to help causes and communities where I felt like they had asked for my help.”
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