Sky Sports reporter causes a stir over her opinion on Jordan Henderson’s Saudi switch

Sky Sports reporter Melissa Reddy causes a stir over giving her opinion on Jordan Henderson’s Saudi Arabia switch this summer.

Liverpool have agreed a deal in principle worth around £12m with add-ons to sell their captain Jordan Henderson to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq, managed by Steven Gerrard.

Henderson flew out to Germany with Liverpool for their training camp, however, he didn’t play a part in their 4-2 friendly win over Karlsruher.

The 33 year old as two years left on his contract at the Premier League club, but an agreement for him follows Liverpool receiving a £40m offer from Al-Ittihad for fellow midfielder Fabinho.

Henderson has been criticised by LGBTQ+ campaigners over his proposed move, especially as same-sex sexual activity is illegal in Saudi Arabia, and the player has publicly supported the LGBTQ+ community in the past.

The punishment for being gay is by death in the Gulf state where he will now play football.

3LionsPride, a fan group for LGBT England supporters, said it was “beyond disappointed” after the deal was done.

The group said in a statement: “Our joy for Mr Henderson when he scored against Ukraine in the Euros (quarter-final) was, in part, due to his kindness and his ‘lucky’ rainbow laces.

“A banner was created to commemorate the low bar he had achieved in being outspoken on our right to support England and show visibility on the pitch.

“If the rumours are true, then that banner will be consigned to the depths of history.”

Meanwhile, Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Reddy outlines how Jordan Henderson’s reputation could be damaged by moving to Saudi Arabia.

“This money changes his life? It doesn’t. It changes his legacy.” ⭕

Sky Sports News senior reporter Melissa Reddy outlines how Jordan Henderson’s reputation could be damaged by moving to Saudi Arabia. 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/Kgf9opeCOt

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 20, 2023

She said: “So many things that just jar when it comes to this move. Henderson will expect the criticism.

“He’ll know it’s coming. He would have thought long and hard about all of this, and I don’t think there’s anything he can say or do to stop people from feeling betrayed, from feeling like at the first chance, where a real stand that he’s folded.

“And there might be some who will say this money changes his life. It doesn’t. He’s already got a lot of money. What it does do is it changes his legacy.”

The Sky Sports reporter comes under fire over her opinion on Jordan Henderson’s Saudi switch, this is what social media users said…

@OfficialSitso: Lol, who determines how much money is enough for someone? Plus this goes to show most of these players don’t necessarily believe in the things they pretends to be standing for. They do it to get the media off their backs and go with the flow. Meanwhile Henderson would have had this problem is he left for the MLS. He’s going to Saudi and that’s a problem?

@JP__267: Melissa Reddy questioning Jordan Henderson’s morals for going to Saudi, here. The same Melissa Reddy who worked for the Independent newspaper, part-owned by Sultan Muhammad Abuljadayel. From Saudi Arabia.

@melo001_: Like she wouldn’t accept huge money to leave sky sports for another sport company 🤡

@JackMcGov: Speaking like someone who has no idea. The average man with no bias will say he’s had a great career and it’s coming to the end and is deciding to do what’s right for him and his family. He’s been an absolute professional for years and years.

@ranjan_rants: The FA literally allowing Saudi owners to buy English clubs, all these glorified pundits on Sky went to Qatar while getting paid for it to cover the World Cup are now jumping on to the morality express to criticise a player who gave his prime years to PL. Talk about hypocrisy!

@jkhboyce: I respect everybody’s opinion but I don’t feel this is an accurate assessment. Henderson who has won pretty much everything with Liverpool, who probably is considered a Liverpool legend doesn’t have much more to prove. He can determine how much money is sufficient for him.

@CalSteele92: he’s 33 he’s captained Liverpool and lifted the Prem and Champs League countless England caps and played for his hometown club – go and get your dough mate and secure your kids kids futures

@RCNIAFC: What is she on about the money is generational money and how’s it effect his legacy when he’s 33 won everything to win while being the captain of one of the biggest clubs in the country 😭

@jamesmiskell: Seven hundred thousand pounds. Every single week. Shut your trap Mel

@AnnField4: Hendo was a legendary Liverpool Captain , and his move will not change that . However he was not a legendary footballer , to compare with the greats He leaves with my best wishes and his legacy is not diminished IMO .

@JoshWoogsLFC: Mate seriously who gives a fuck in the slightest. The world is full of virtue signallers nobody cares at all. He was probably only so vocal about it anyway because him and Lallana have been kissing on the sly for years.

@Sweeterthejuic1: This is ridiculous. He gave everything he had for Liverpool and now probably realised he can’t perform at the same level he used to so he’s moving on in the twilight of his career for a good pay day. Stop villainizing the bloke you bunch of hypocrites.

@NathanBirch0: “People feeling betrayed” 🤣🤣🤣 this Saudi agenda is crazy. If someone offers you 4x your wage to do the same job and you say no then you’re nothing short of a spastic

@bengav16: Shut the fuck up, it’s a job. People need to get their head’s out their arses, last big pay day of a rumoured 700k a week? Family comes first and they’re sorted for life.

@AHayer16: Oh stfu man. The guy is about to create generational wealth for his family. We all love to talk about ‘moral high ground’ yet 99% of you’s would do the same thing. And truth be told, if you didn’t do it, you’re an idiot

@Brodieeee31: How can anyone criticise him? He’s literally won it all at club football level and is now taking a massive pay day to finish his career off. Fair play to the man… HENDO THE LEGEND 🔥

@seanfromenderby: Maybe stop treating footballers like polticians n just focus on football. It’s entertainment at the end of the day. Fair play to Henderson, I would take the cash as well

@Shu7e: This pile on from the media is genuinely pathetic. They did this during Qatar, and failed. This is driven by media scared that the premier league will lose its place, so sling enough mud, they hope something will stick. Today it’s Hendo, tomorrow it’ll be a Kane, Rashford etc.

@walker07_the: How many people would turn that money down. Yeah people will say “I would” but can promise you if someone offered you 700k a week in CASH, you’d take the deal without a second thought

@TPybis: His legacy won’t be ruined after all he has won his legacy is well and truly safe at Anfield he will go down as another legend who gave his all and won it all.

@joegoramcarson: Hendo has done so much for lfc and still some had a go these will be the same guys that wanted him out that will now be saying why’s he leaving. His legacy will live long with me, you on the other hand I’ll probably forget your name by lunchtime

@walker07_the: “Oh no my legacy, However will i recover”. Henderson said wiping his tears with his 50$ bills

@gg06gwynne: Jordan Henderson doesn’t owe anybody anything.

@MarcHouse99: I think this is out of context. Henderson has the opportunity to earn a reported £700,000 per week. It secures his family and beyond, provides them with opportunities only some can dream of. As a player, he has done almost everything in the game, and he is obviously okay with it

@del_boy_ten: I’m sure she wouldn’t jump at the chance to quadruple her wages doing the same job she is at the moment

@luqmaanrawat72: Horrible take. We tend to forget most footballers retire at 33. How many of them go into coaching or punditry? After 33, what are they supposed to do when they don’t receive 150k a week? Why do we act like footballers don’t have bills to pay after they retire?

@PapiiKennyy7: Jordan Henderson is going to earn 350k per week in Saudi. He has won every single trophy in club football. 33 years of age doesn’t have the legs anymore to be a starter at Liverpool but his “legacy” will change because he has nothing to prove but to take care of his family! 😂😂

@33_adam: Betrayed 😂😂 have a day off! This guy as captain has won the lot and been told he’s on reduced minutes, been offered more money (double) at 33 and thought I’ll have abit of that- so chill out

@josha1995_: Didn’t she go over to Qatar for the world cup?