Gareth Southgate hits out at England fans for booing captain Jordan Henderson on his first Wembley appearance since his controversial move to Saudi Arabia
- Henderson captained England in the friendly against Australia at Wembley
- The midfielder was booed on and off the pitch during England’s 1-0 victory
- Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’
England manager Gareth Southgate has claimed he ‘doesn’t understand’ why fans would boo Jordan Henderson after the midfielder was jeered off in their friendly win over Australia at Wembley.
Henderson was booed on and off the pitch as captain by a section of England fans during the 1-0 win on Friday night.
The midfielder was appearing at the national stadium for the first time since his controversial move to the Saudi Pro League in the summer.
Southgate rode to Henderson’s defence post-match, claiming boos for the midfielder ‘defied logic’.
‘I really don’t understand it. I don’t understand what that is for,’ Southgate said.
Jordan Henderson was booed when he was taken off during the second half against Australia
England boss Gareth Southgate claimed the boos for Henderson had ‘defied logic’
Southgate insisted Henderson has given his ‘heart and soul’ into playing for England
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‘We’ve got players in England shirts. Come on, let’s get behind this team. This is a team that is delivering a lot and they deserve everybody’s support.’
Southgate was asked whether the response to Henderson was as a result of his move to Saudi Arabia, with the former Liverpool captain facing accused of turning his back on LGBTQ+ fans.
‘What has that got to do with supporting a guy who is wearing an England shirt? I don’t really know where we’re heading with everything,’ Southgate said.
‘I’m hugely impressed with the impeccable values and decisions that everyone in this country is making, then.
‘Clearly I don’t understand it. I know what’s created it and I know why it’s happened but it’s defied logic to me to give a player who is giving his heart and soul into playing for England, to boo him.
‘I don’t know how that helps him or the team.’
It is the second time in as many months that Southgate has been forced to defend an England player publicly.
The England boss had ridden to the defence of Harry Maguire against a culture of ridicule, after the defender was heckled during England’s 3-1 win over Scotland.
Henderson has faced criticism for his decision to move to Saudi Arabia in the summer
Henderson joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq this summer for a reported £700,000-a-week, becoming the highest-paid British player in football history.
Henderson, who publicly and vocally advocated for LGBTQ + rights during his time at Anfield, has faced backlash from fans after agreeing the deal.
The backlash came due to homosexuality being deemed a crime in Saudi Arabia, which is punishable by the death penalty.
Henderson has since defended the move and insisted his transfer to Saudi Pro League was not motivated by money.
He had played for England against Ukraine in a Euro 2024 qualifier last month in Poland. He was also an unused substitute when England faced Scotland at Hampden Park.
The friendly against Australia marked Henderson’s match in England since moving to Saudi Arabia.
England boss Gareth Southgate last month defended Henderson ahead of an expected protest by fans, while he insisted he would be ‘stupid’ to stop selecting the midfielder because he had moved to the Saudi Pro League.
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