Pascal Struijk has to watch the next three games from the stands at Leeds United. The centre-back appealed the suspension with his club following his red card against Liverpool (0-3 loss), but did not have to count on a reduced sentence. Struijk saw the red card after a tackle on Harvey Elliott, who sustained a serious ankle injury and was remarkably understanding towards the Dutchman via Instagram afterwards.
Due to his suspension, Struijk will miss the Premier League games against Newcastle United and West Ham United and the duel in the battle for the Carabao Cup with Fulham. On October 2, Marcelo Bielsa can call on the defender again for the first time in the home game against Watford. Struijk’s action quickly led to many reactions on social media. For example, Struijk posted a message on Instagram on Monday afternoon in which he indicated that he never wanted it to happen this way. “Harvey Elliott, my thoughts are with you. I am devastated and this was never meant to happen. I wish you a speedy recovery and hope to see you back on the pitch soon.”
Remarkably enough, the Liverpool attacker supported Struijk’s action. “It wasn’t a red card either,” Elliott said. “It was just a freak accident, these things happen in football. I am of course absolutely devastated by what happened in Leeds yesterday, but I am totally blown away by the love and support that the whole football world has shown me after the injury. Thank you so much to everyone who contacted me and my family, it means so much to us.”
Elliott was not the only one who stood up for Struijk. Mark Clattenburg, former Premier League referee, also jumped in for the mandekker. “Referee Craig Pawson did not even whistle for a foul. As far as he is concerned, Struijk won the ball. But video referee Darren England judged the incident and because the injury was so bad, the arbiter responded with a red card for Struijk.” Clattenburg suggested that Struijk was sent off only because of the outcome of the tackle, rather than the tackle itself.
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