Kiko Casilla will miss Leeds United’s Championship match against Millwall next week after the club chose not to appeal his ban, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
The regional newspaper claim Casilla is to join Pontus Jansson on the sidelines for the 30 March showdown at Elland Road in another major blow to rock United.
The FA confirmed Casilla will serve an automatic one-match ban for bringing down Billy Sharp outside the box in the closing stages of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United, while Leeds revealed earlier on Monday that Jansson is set to be out for three weeks with a knee injury.
OPINION
This is a sensible decision from Leeds. A one-match ban for Casilla is a massive blow, given the commanding and reassuring presence he has cut since signing from Real Madrid in January. But the sending-off against Sheffield United was merited, as his hacking down of Sharp prevented a clear goalscoring opportunity, even if there were two Leeds defenders rushing back to provide cover. United have been on the receiving end of some ropey FA decisions this season, but upholding the Casilla red card is not one of them. Marcelo Bielsa suggested in the immediate aftermath of Saturday’s defeat that an appeal was possible, but analysis of the footage has convinced the club to let this one go. That means Leeds will be without a key player for their next game, on 30 March against former bogey side Millwall. Certainly, the hosts will miss Casilla’s experience and knowhow.