Saudi Arabia&#x27s soccer dream suffers a setback with significant-profile departure

Saudi Arabia&#x27s soccer dream suffers a setback with significant-profile departure


Jordan Henderson acknowledges the crowd just after the Saudi Professional League match concerning Al-Ettifaq and Damak at Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium on Sept. 2, 2023 in Advert Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

Francois Nel | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images

England global Jordan Henderson abruptly ended his enjoying time in Saudi Arabia’s Pro League, working a blow to the kingdom’s bold options to make its domestic league an international soccer hub.

Former Liverpool captain Henderson on Thursday signed a two-and-a-fifty percent-yr offer with Dutch facet Ajax shortly right after the 33-yr-previous agreed to mutually terminate his agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Al-Ettifaq.

Henderson’s U-transform on playing in the Saudi Pro League comes 6 months soon after his controversial choice to sign with the club. He had reportedly been unsatisfied following failing to settle in the nation.

Henderson’s hasty exit from Saudi Arabia marks the end of “a miserable episode in a previously exemplary occupation,” in accordance to BBC Sport’s chief soccer writer, and raises inquiries about both of those the midfielder’s reputation as properly as the impression of the Saudi Professional League.

“I’m sad to say that I will be leaving Al Ettifaq with immediate effect,” Henderson stated Thursday by way of social media. “It wasn’t an straightforward final decision but a single that I come to feel is ideal for me and my relatives.”

He added: “I want to get this possibility to thank the club & the fans for all the assist through my time. I truly felt the enjoy from Day A single. I will hold looking at & hoping for your results. Fantastic luck for the future.”

In an job interview introduced by Ajax shortly afterward, Henderson explained a “outrageous” very last few days as a “whirlwind” but that he was now fired up to start out a “new chapter” in his profession and lifestyle.

Will the Saudi prince get his 1.5% GDP growth from sports?

Henderson experienced been one of several significant-profile players to have moved to Saudi Arabia last summer months, with previous Authentic Madrid striker Karim Benzema and ex-Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante also producing the change.

Saudi Arabia has put in an extraordinary total on recruiting soccer stars to bolster domestic opposition in new years, as perfectly as earning substantial investments in sporting activities these types of as Components A single, golfing, tennis and boxing.

Critics have consistently accused Riyadh of “sportswashing,” or making use of sporting activities to distract from human rights abuses in the country. Saudi officials have persistently denied these promises.

Reputational harm

Why Saudi Arabia is pumping billions of dollars into pro soccer

Soon immediately after Henderson’s exit from Al-Ettifaq was verified, the club said Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard experienced signed a two-year contract extension to remain as head mentor of Al-Ettifaq till 2027.

On relocating to Saudi Arabia previous 12 months, some criticized Henderson — who had been an advocate for human legal rights and a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ local community — of “self-inflicted reputational hurt” by moving to a country wherever very same-sex sexual exercise is criminalized.

Henderson claimed he experienced been “really hurt” by the backlash to his shift, introducing that his intention “has always been to support results in and communities.”





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