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China's premier hails close ties in talks with Russian PM
China's premier hails close ties in talks with Russian PM
China's premier on Wednesday hailed the "strategic cooperative partnership" between Beijing and Moscow as he hosted the Russian prime minister, with the two sides expected to sign a...
2023-05-24 14:27
Portland Timbers part ways with head coach Giovanni Savarese
Portland Timbers part ways with head coach Giovanni Savarese
The Portland Timbers have parted ways with head coach Giovanni Savarese after a string of negative results saw the Western Conference team in 12th place on the table.
2023-08-23 01:45
Hunting Lady Bird Lake Killer: Chris Hays-Clark's partner slams police inaction amid serial killer fears
Hunting Lady Bird Lake Killer: Chris Hays-Clark's partner slams police inaction amid serial killer fears
Reegan Aparicio, the partner of Lady Bird Lake victim Chris Hays-Clark, has slammed police for ruling out foul play in his death
1970-01-01 08:00
Jordan Henderson: ‘If people want to boo me for playing in Saudi Arabia, that’s fine’
Jordan Henderson: ‘If people want to boo me for playing in Saudi Arabia, that’s fine’
It must have been one of the lowest moments of Jordan Henderson’s career, to be booed by his own fans at Wembley on Friday night, wearing an England shirt, something he has always described as the ultimate honour. Worse still, the reaction was not because of the football he played but because of the choices he’d made, and by extension part of the person he was. It must have stung. Henderson, who joined Saudi Arabian side Al Ettifaq in July, captained his country in the 1-0 friendly win over Australia, and afterwards he put on a brave face. Asked if he was disappointed by the crowd’s reaction, he replied: “Not really. I’m not sure what the reaction was to be honest.” When it was pointed out that thousands loudly booed as he was being substituted, Henderson said: “It’s not nice, your own fans, if they were booing. But people have got their own opinions. Whenever I bump into anyone on the street it’s always been positive stuff and nice things said. It won’t change who I am and what I do for this team and for my country. I give absolutely everything every time.” He is not the only Englishman to join the Saudi Pro League – Demarai Gray and Andre Gray have both moved, while Steven Gerrard is Henderson’s manager at Al Ettifaq. But he is the most high profile player, and he has used that status in the past to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. That advocacy now looks like professional obligation rather than authentic sentiment after moving to a country which criminalises homosexuality. Henderson was asked if he understood the fans’ reaction. “Erm, not really. I don’t know… do you?” he challenged. It was suggested that it might relate to his move. “If people want to boo if I’m playing in a different country, that’s fine. Like I said, everyone is going to have an opinion when I’m playing over in Saudi. I’ve spoken in the past about the reasons for that. Whether people believe me or not is up to them.” Perhaps it might have been easier for Henderson had he said a long time ago that he was lured by a lucrative contract that would secure the financial future of his family’s families for generations. But he has always insisted he didn’t discuss his financial package until after agreeing to the transfer. Henderson suggested in a previous interview that he might be able to influence Saudi Arabian attitudes from the inside, and he seemed to repeat that line. “I’m playing football in a different country in Saudi where I want to try to improve the game on the pitch, but also things off the pitch as well.” But what does improving things off the pitch mean, in practice? “The whole league. The football. I’m not a politician. I’m not going to get into politics. All I’ve ever done is concentrate on my football and try to help people that have asked for my help. When I’m going out there, I’m just playing football trying to improve the league, trying to improve my own team and trying to win football games.” He softened slightly when it was put to him that some in the LGBTQ+ community considered his decision a betrayal. “I haven’t been surprised by that because I can understand the reasons in what they’re saying. I look at it from a different point of view, obviously. But I can understand it and I’ve got to take that on the chin.” How this affects Henderson’s England career is unclear. He was part of a disjointed performance against Australia by a largely second-string side, and is increasingly the understudy to first-choice starters Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice. There are few midfield alternatives, however, and the 33-year-old has every chance of making it to Euro 2024. “I feel as fit as I ever have, probably because over there the conditions are quite hard at times with the weather and the humidity and the warm,” he said. “I’m an experienced player, I know how to play football, you don't forget that when you just go out and play in a different league. So when I've been back here, when I've trained, when I've played games, I felt as good as ever.” Gareth Southgate staunchly defended his midfielder, which was no surprise from a manager who has always been fiercely loyal to his players, sometimes to a fault. “He is a role model in the squad, I don't understand it, ” Southgate said. But then Southgate has always taken firm stances on moral issues and, just as with Henderson, you were left wondering what he really thinks. Read More Jordan Henderson plays the tool on road to Saudi Arabia’s inevitable World Cup Gareth Southgate questions why England fans booed Jordan Henderson Ollie Watkins and Lewis Dunk emerge with credit on England’s audition night against Australia Harvey Elliott believes Jordan Henderson deserves better from England fans Wembley revenge to seal place at Euro 2024? – England v Italy talking points Kieran Trippier hails Jordan Henderson as ‘unbelievable character’ and ‘leader’
2023-10-16 15:47
Treasury Futures Up, Dollar Slips on Fitch Fallout: Markets Wrap
Treasury Futures Up, Dollar Slips on Fitch Fallout: Markets Wrap
Treasury futures rose while contracts for the S&P 500 stocks benchmark declined after Fitch Ratings downgraded the US
2023-08-02 06:05
China's movie theaters thrive as economic gloom descends. Hollywood is missing out
China's movie theaters thrive as economic gloom descends. Hollywood is missing out
China's economy may be in the doldrums, but its movie theaters have enjoyed a record-breaking few months as young women flocked to see home-grown films.
2023-10-16 08:37
Who is Luce Tate? All you need to know about Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate’s ‘privileged cousin’
Who is Luce Tate? All you need to know about Andrew Tate and Tristan Tate’s ‘privileged cousin’
Luc Tate said, 'The first thing I'll tell you guys is that Tate is too rich and too smart to do anything illegal'
2023-07-25 14:08
2CV classic car meet gets show on the road
2CV classic car meet gets show on the road
Around 5,000 Citroen 2CVs from across the globe are tootling into the Swiss countryside this week for a mass gathering celebrating the...
2023-07-28 14:41
The Dnipro river, a 'rampart' winding through Ukraine war
The Dnipro river, a 'rampart' winding through Ukraine war
A sweeping plain dotted with ruined houses stretched into the horizon and towards the blue expanse of the Dnipro river, where a clutch of Ukrainian...
2023-11-10 15:50
South Africa's Ramaphosa arrives in Ukraine on African peace mission
South Africa's Ramaphosa arrives in Ukraine on African peace mission
KYIV (Reuters) -South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Ukraine on Friday as part of an African peace mission, the
2023-06-16 14:52
Dodgers edge defending champion Astros 3-2 as LA fans rain down boos on Altuve and Bregman
Dodgers edge defending champion Astros 3-2 as LA fans rain down boos on Altuve and Bregman
Michael Busch doubled in the go-ahead in the fourth inning, Mookie Betts homered and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Houston Astros 3-2 in an acrimonious game
2023-06-24 12:30
Britain’s Food Inflation Cools to Lowest Level in Almost a Year
Britain’s Food Inflation Cools to Lowest Level in Almost a Year
The slowest increase in grocery bills in almost a year drove down inflation in British shops in August,
2023-08-29 07:01