"Shocking and horrendous..." - Why Jordan Henderson's Qatar stance suggests he'll reject Saudi Arabia move

Jordan Henderson's past comments on staging the World Cup on Qatar suggests he could reject a move to neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

On Monday, former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was appointed head coach of Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq.

Gerrard had initially rejected an approach from the Saudi club but has now accepted an offer after talks resumed last week.

It will be the 43-year-old’s first job since being sacked by Aston Villa last October, after just 11 months in charge.

Eager to hit the ground running, Gerrard will target Liverpool skipper Henderson as well as Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to Mail Online.

It is unclear whether Henderson, who still has two years left on his deal at Anfield, will seek to leave Liverpool this summer but a move to Saudi Arabia seems unlikely.

The England international was critical of Qatar's poor human rights record ahead of the World Cup this winter and neighbouring Saudi Arabia has also been accused of violating human rights by Amnesty International.

Henderson's previous criticism of Qatar

Speaking last March, Henderson described Qatar’s record of human rights violations as "shocking, disappointing and horrendous" after he and his fellow England players were given a detailed briefing on the situation in the Gulf state.

Henderson said, via the Guardian: “When we were given the briefing, which was really important, it was quite shocking and disappointing.

“It’s horrendous really when you look at some of the issues that are currently happening and have been happening over there.

“As a team, we’re just sort of digesting that, coming up with ideas of what we want to do going forward because it’s an opportunity to maybe shine a light on the issues and use our platforms to make change for the better.”

As England were considering what message to send out ahead of the tournament, Henderson said: “As a senior player I do take a lot of responsibility and I’ll speak to as many lads as I can, as will other senior members of the team, and come up with something we all think’s right.

“And, as the gaffer said, there’s the possibility of doing something with other European countries.

“Whatever we decide to do will be criticised and will never be enough but we do it to try and make a difference in the world. I think everybody knows we stand for no discrimination. Football’s for everyone.”

Topics: Football, Jordan Henderson, Liverpool, Steven Gerrard, Saudi Arabia, Saudi Pro League, Qatar

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.