Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has criticised the “morality officers” who have rounded on Jordan Henderson following his move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq.
The former Liverpool captain, as a long-time supporter of the LGBT+ community, has drawn widespread condemnation for his decision to move to a country where homosexuality is illegal.
However, Rodgers – who managed Henderson during his three years at Anfield – defended a player’s decision to choose where they ply their trade.
“It’s their profession, it’s their life so they have to do what’s best for them,” Rodgers told talkSPORT. “There are so many morality officers around the world nowadays that are judging people.
“But Jordan I know extremely well and I know the love he had and will always have for Liverpool.
“He was at the stage of his career where he probably wasn’t going to be the first name on the teamsheet any more.
“At 32 years of age, he’s won absolutely everything. He probably fancied a different challenge and out of respect, it probably didn’t feel right for him being at another Premier League club.
“So to go abroad and take on a new challenge clearly suited him.”
In his interview with The Athletic, Henderson stressed money was not a motivating factor for him and denied reports he was earning £700,000-a-week.
But the wealth of the Saudi Pro League, particularly Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli who are backed by the country’s sovereign wealth fund, has undoubtedly had a massive impact on this summer’s transfer window and will on windows to come.
“It’s definitely something that makes players wobble because of the money that’s talked about and what it can do for players and the legacy it can create for their families for years down the line,” Rodgers added.
“What makes (Saudi Arabia) dangerous is not only the money, they have a plan. The plan is attracting top players and looking to get top managers out there.”
Committee considered tougher sanctions for ‘inexcusable’ Luis Rubiales conduct
The committee which imposed a three-year ban on former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales for his conduct at the Women’s World Cup final said it had been tempted to impose a more severe sanction.
A FIFA disciplinary committee said Rubiales had acted with “a sense of complete impunity” at the Spain v England match on August 20 in Sydney.
He grabbed his genitals in celebration of Spain’s victory while stood in the VIP area and kissed midfielder Jennifer Hermoso on the lips during the medal presentation. Hermoso has said she did not consent to the kiss.
The committee, which imposed a ban on Rubiales on October 30, said in the written grounds of its decision: “All incidents assessed collectively, (together with Rubiales’ position in relation to them) appear to reveal a sense of complete impunity on the part of the respondent within the football environment.
“It was absolutely and categorically expected of him to maintain and embody the highest levels of professionalism, beyond the usual standards, especially at a moment where his country was at the apex level of women’s football.
“In this regard, the committee could not stress enough that – regardless of the emotional state he was in during and after the match – (Rubiales’) behaviour was inexcusable and unacceptable, especially considering his high rank within the football ecosystem at the time.
“While taking into account the undeniable media impact of (Rubiales’) behaviour and its repercussions on the reputation of football as well as of FIFA, but also and more importantly, on (Hermoso’s) mental state, the committee considered that a ban for a duration of three years was justified.
“The committee wished to stress that it was tempted to impose more severe sanctions in view of the seriousness and gravity of the incidents at stake as well as of the profound negative impact that (Rubiales’) actions had on the image of FIFA, women’s football and women’s sport in general.”
Bayern Munich agree deal to sign Bryan Zaragoza from Granada for 2024-25
Bayern Munich have agreed a five-year deal to sign Bryan Zaragoza from Granada ahead of the 2024-25 season.
The 22-year-old Spain international joined the LaLiga side from Conejito de Malaga in 2019 and began his senior career on loan for a season with Ejido before returning to Granada, where he has so far made 51 appearances during his time there.
This season he has featured in 14 league games for Granada, who are currently second-from-bottom in the table, scoring five goals and providing two assists.
He made his senior Spain debut in October against Scotland in the Euro 2024 qualifiers and Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund revealed the forward has been on the club’s radar.
Speaking about the move, Freund said: “Bryan Zaragoza is an explosive, very quick and extremely nimble winger, who can play on either side. He’s unpredictable, can score and is very good one-on-one.
“He’s already made his senior debut for Spain this year and has a lot of potential. Bryan is one of Spain’s up-and-coming players and has been on our radar for a while.
“He’ll increase our attacking options. We wish him the best of luck for the rest of the season with Granada and look forward to him joining us in the summer.”
T&T miss out on Gold Cup prelims after 0-1 defeat to Mexico in Group A of League A
Trinidad and Tobago missed out on a spot in next year's Concacaf Women's Gold preliminary stage, as they went down 0-1 to Mexico in their final Group A fixture in League A of the Gold Cup qualifiers at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on Tuesday night.
Needing a win to secure second position in the group, the Soca Ladies fought gallantly, but couldn't take what would have been a famous three points off the Mexicans, who had the all-important strike through Cristina Ferral.
With the win, Mexico topped the group with maximum 12 points from four games and join Costa Rica, Panama, United States and Canada, among others in the Group stages of the inaugural Women's Gold Cup. Puerto Rico, with four points, secured a berth in the preliminary stage, while Trinidad and Tobago end with a solitary point in the three-team group.
Despite an expected dominant first half display, Mexico had to wait until the latter stages of the half to break the deadlock, and they did so in style.
Ferral collected a ball out outside the area and smashed a right-footed strike into the top right corner in the 40th minute.
The visitors tried desperately to add to their lead in the second stanza but found Trinidad and Tobago's defenders and goalkeeper Simone Eligon in a defiant mode.
In fact, Eligon produced a diving save to deny Jacqueline Ovalle's 63rd-minute effort, and she again came up big with another series of saves in the final quarter-hour to keep her side in it.
But her efforts were in vain as the twin island failed to get on target, and, as such, Mexico snared all three points.
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