Homosexuality is illegal and punishable by death in Saudi Arabia, while the state stands accused of a host of other abuses including placing harsh restrictions on women's rights and the right to political protest. So now we're in a really complex world where, what are we saying, nobody should go to Newcastle? Should nobody work for companies that the Saudis own in London or should nobody buy oil from the Saudis?
Well no, he isn't, but of course people are going to say his actions are the reverse of that. Southgate revealed the year-old sought assurances about the prospect of being overlooked if he were to move.
The England boss added: "I spoke to him in the summer, the question he wanted to know was, 'If I move here, are you going to automatically rule me out? Why would we rule anyone out based on where they are playing?
We have got to see how they are playing. He won't play in the Champions League, which is the easiest assessment for the level he is playing at. England boss Gareth Southgate says he understands the criticism Jordan Henderson has received for joining Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq but feels the midfielder's beliefs have not changed. Jordan Henderson Gareth Southgate.
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