Read Up “After Liverpool sold their captain to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, Amnesty International urged Jordan Henderson to speak out against Saudi human rights abuses.” According to reports, the clubs have verbally agreed on a £12 million transfer fee and a contract worth £700,000 a week for the 33-year-old.

Steven Gerrard, a former teammate of his from the Reds, who was appointed manager earlier this month, would be accompanying him.

After previously speaking out in favor of diversity in the game, LGBT+ organizations have warned the England midfielder that accepting the offer might irreversibly harm his reputation as an ally to the community.

In Saudi Arabia, homosexuality is banned and punishable by death, and the government is also accused of violating a number of human rights, including the right to political protest and severely restricting the rights of women.

Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo are two of the most well-known players to have transferred to the Pro League, according to critics like Amnesty, who believe that the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s administration is trying to “sportswash” the reputation of the nation abroad.

After Steven Gerrard’s transfer to Al-Ettifaq, Amnesty International’s UK economic affairs director Peter Frankental said, “This looks very much like more Saudi sportswashing as huge amounts of Saudi wealth continue to pour into the purchase of star players, new events, and even the acquisition of entire clubs.”

Mohammed Bin Salman’s Saudi Arabia is becoming associated with sports and entertainment, not tyranny and human rights abuse. Every significant deal seems to increase Saudi Arabia’s sportswashing.

“While Saudi sportswashing picks up steam, there has been a consistent crackdown on human rights in the nation, with nonviolent activists being intimidated and imprisoned, up to 196 people being executed last year, and (dissident writer) Jamal Khashoggi’s horrifying murder being hushed up.

Jordan Henderson is free to play for any team, but we advise him to research Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and speak out against injustices.

“On the one hand it would be deeply troubling if sporting figures like Henderson were required to read from a script endorsing Saudi Arabia as part of their contractual obligations, but the real responsibility is on FIFA and other sporting bodies to ensure that Saudi Arabia’s expanding involvement in sport does not involve human rights violations,” Frankental said.

If Saudi Arabia bids to host the 2030 World Cup, FIFA must rigorously analyze it in compliance with human rights criteria. FIFA should consider Saudi Arabia’s sportswashing.”

Marcus Rashford must, in the words of Wayne Rooney, “be the man to get Manchester United back to winning titles,” in order for him to be mentioned with Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe.

The Old Trafford legend added, “I think Marcus is an incredible talent and I’m delighted he’s signed a new deal,” after coaching an MLS All-Stars squad in a preseason match against Arsenal.

“I believe the coming five years will be crucial for him in terms of leaving a lasting legacy.

“He can score a lot of goals, but I think he has to be the one to get Manchester United back to winning trophies and league titles if he really wants to reach that level where Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe are at.

And I’m hoping he can.

See Also | IF THEY WANT HARRY MAGUIRE TO LEAVE MANCHESTER UNITED, THEY MAY HAVE TO LET HIM GO FOR FREE