List of All Articles with Tag 'eppersons'

Predicting the NBA's Christmas Day schedule.

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson insists he cannot wait to get started on a new challenge after completing a controversial move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq. The 33-year-old brought to an end a 12-year stay at Anfield in which he won every major trophy by finalising a three-year deal with reported wages of up to £700,000 a week. Henderson, who posted a farewell message to Reds fans on Wednesday, took to Instagram again after his signing was confirmed. “Delighted to announce I’ve signed for @ettifaq. New challenge ahead, can’t wait to get going. Welcome to Saudi Arabia,” he wrote. Liverpool are due to receive an initial £12million for the England international, who will be reunited with his former team-mate Steven Gerrard who is manager at the Saudi Pro League club. “There is no doubt that Henderson is a distinguished addition,” said Al-Ettifaq vice-president Professor Hatem Al-Mishal. “We completed the deal after the recommendation of sports director Elko Chatori and the technical staff led by English coach Steven Gerrard, who accompanied him as a player and knows his capabilities.” Henderson was seen training with his new team-mates at a camp in Croatia in a fan video posted on social media, which will have caused Liverpool some embarrassment even though it was hastily deleted. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp paid tribute to his departing captain. “I know it was a really, really tough decision for Hendo and I was around or with him all the way,” he told the club’s website. “It’s sad, absolutely strange, because he is the only captain I had here at Liverpool, but I think it is exciting for him as well. “We will miss him, without a shadow of a doubt, that’s clear – as a man and as a player. But, as I said, that’s football.” However, Henderson’s move had attracted criticism due to his long-time support of LGBT+ issues and the Premier League’s Rainbow Laces campaign. 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. Al-Ettifaq’s video montage to announce Henderson’s arrival mixes colour and black and white footage but in the majority of the images the captain’s armband he is wearing – including both the LGBT+ rainbow and UEFA’s No to Racism – is greyed out. “Jordan Henderson is of course free to play for whoever he chooses, but we would urge him to examine Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and be prepared to speak out about human rights violations in the country,” Amnesty’s UK economic affairs director Peter Frankental told the PA news agency last week. Pride in Football, a network of LGBT+ fan groups, said in a statement: “When you see someone who has been an ally so publicly transfer to a club in a country where LGBT+ people are attacked and imprisoned, it is disappointing. “Good luck in Saudi Arabia Jordan, but you have lost the respect of so many people who valued you and trusted you.” Henderson joins a growing list of players moving to Saudi Arabia. However, one player who will not be heading to the Middle East is Paris St Germain’s Kylian Mbappe, who reportedly refused to meet Al-Hilal officials in Paris on Wednesday after his club accepted what would be a world-record transfer fee of £259million. PSG believe Mbappe, who has 12 months left on his contract, has already agreed a free transfer to Real Madrid but their willingness to listen to offers for the 24-year-old has led to speculation linking him to the Premier League. However, the financial implications of such a move would be beyond almost all the clubs in the top flight. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Today at the World Cup: Australia rocked by Nigeria as Portugal earn first win Today is a sad day for me – David Silva waves goodbye to football Manchester United confident of signing striker as Rasmus Hojlund talks continue

UEFA confirm Barcelona's Champions League fate after suspending their investigation into the Negreira case. The La Liga holders exited last season's competition at the group stage before crashing out of the Europa League.

Leon Marchand and Summer McIntosh picked up big victories at World Aquatics Championships and showed why they are likely to be stars at next year’s Paris Olympics

By no means is an illness to Max Fried any reason for Alex Anthopoulos and the Braves to freak out, but it does point to the fragility of their situation. Thankfully, they have options.Max Fried missed his latest rehab start with an illness, which will push back his eventual return to the majors...

Southampton have set a price of £50m for Romeo Lavia, having rejected Liverpool’s opening bid of £37m for the 19-year-old. The offer is expected to bring a move from Chelsea, as they seek to add at least one more midfielder. Liverpool have made a move after agreeing sales of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to the Saudi Pro League, with Jurgen Klopp keen to add more depth in midfield. Lavia has been seen as one of the most attractive options in the window, due to his burgeoning quality midfield at the age of 19 and a relatively cheap price. That has also ensured both Arsenal and Manchester United have been looking at the Southampton player, with the former having previously been seen as favourites to sign him. Liverpool have since moved ahead, however, as Mikel Arteta is himself dependent on sales. Southampton have so far proved steadfast in their insistence Lavia is only available for £50m, but the view in the market is a deal for £45m could be struck. Liverpool are set to improve their offer after Henderson’s controversial move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ettifaq was completed on Thursday. Fabinho, who has been linked with Al Ittihad, is expected to follow the former Liverpool captain. Read More Jordan Henderson risks tarnishing Liverpool legacy after career built on triumph of character Who could replace Fabinho? Liverpool transfer options analysed Mohammed Kudus: Chelsea leading Arsenal in race for £40m Ajax star

Running back Dalvin Cook is prepared to visit with a team that just so happens to have a former rival during his time with the Minnesota Vikings.Wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was the latest big-name free agent to sign with a team, joining the Tennessee Titans on a two-year contract. The largest ...

Six years into its mission to remedy the sex-abuse crisis in Olympic sports, the U.S. Center for SafeSport is struggling

Sean Payton took shots at Nathaniel Hackett and the New York Jets.

Pierre Gasly on Thursday expressed the feelings harboured by many Formula One paddock regulars when he said he felt conflicted about taking part in...

As co-captain of the United States, Lindsey Horan is setting a feisty tone for the team at the Women's World Cup

French superstar Leon Marchand claimed his third gold of swimming's world championships on Thursday, while Australia scooped up more titles on a...