Pascal Struijk delivers European Super League verdict and hails Leeds United team mate Patrick Bamford's message

Premier League sides Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur announced on Sunday evening that they were joining a rival spin off Super League as part of a founding European dozen.

The news was met with widespread protest, including before Monday night's fixture between Leeds and Liverpool at Elland Road after which Bamford said the plans were difficult to comprehend.

The Whites no 9 also expressed his disappointment that the same focus and energy was not put into more important issues such as tackling racism.

Five days later, plans for the Super League have fallen flat on their face due to the almost universal condemnation and by Wednesday afternoon nine of the 12 founding clubs had withdrawn including all of the Premier League's 'big six'.

The ESL has subsequently become a complete non starter and Struijk says that common sense ultimately prevailed.

"My personal opinion, I would say I didn't think it wasn't a very good idea," said Struijk about the ESL, speaking to BBC Radio Leeds.

"But luckily me, other players and loads of the fans spoke up and clubs came to common sense and decided not to go through with it."

Asked about Bamford's words on the matter, Struijk said: "He made a very good point. Everywhere in the media, it all slides through.

"A player getting racially abused on social media, you see that for one day.

"And about the Super League, that will be in there for I don't know how long. It's a good thing he spoke about it."

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-v-manchester-united-marcelo-bielsa-press-conference-raphinha-and-rodrigo-injury-updates-3211284

https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/yorkshire-evening-post-launch-leeds-united-only-digital-subscription-ahead-premier-league-campaign-2967964

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Thank you Laura Collins