JORDAN HENDERSON admits money WAS one reason for his controversial switch to Al-Ettifaq.
The Liverpool legend, 32, says it “hurt” to be booed by England fans unhappy with his move to Saudi Arabia, where homosexuality is banned.
GettyJordan Henderson came on as victory vs Italy sealed England’s place in the Euro finals, having been booed when coming off against Australia four days earlier[/caption]
But he claims there has been confusion over the motives for his £700,000-A-WEEK transfer.
The midfielder told Channel 4 ahead of England’s 3-1 defeat of Italy: “I did an interview a couple of months ago and maybe some of the stuff that came out didn’t come out in the way that I thought I said it.
“An example of that would be when I said I didn’t go out there solely for the money.
“I think that’s a big difference – it’s not a sole reason going out there for the money.”
But Henderson, who has been a vocal backer of LGBTQ+ rights, insists he has come under no pressure to change his views since joining the Saudi Pro League over the summer.
He apologised last month for any upset caused by moving to a country with a notorious record for human rights.
And now the 80-cap star claims: “I think having someone like myself, with the values that I have, in Saudi Arabia is only a good thing.
“Before I went to Saudi, people knew the groups I supported and helped in the past.
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“My values haven’t changed as a person just because I’m going to a different country to play football.”
And he added: “Not once since I’ve been there have they said I can’t do this or I can’t say that.”
Henderson has “no regrets” over a transfer that in July left him earning THREE TIMES more than Three Lions skipper Harry Kane.
But he revealed his mixed feelings over the hostile reaction from Wembley supporters when he was taken off in last Friday’s 1-0 friendly win over Australia.
The workhorse explained: “Of course it hurts because every time you pull on that shirt it’s a proud moment and I’m playing for my team-mates, for my country and for the fans.
“But at the end of the day that’s part and parcel – I’ve had enough criticism over my career so far to be able to deal with stuff like that.”
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