Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has been charged by the FA with racially abusing Charlton Athletic player Jonathan Leko during the match on 28th September.
Casilla has until 12th November to provide a response. Leeds United has released a statement saying:
“Leeds United Football Club acknowledges the charge from the FA today relating to Kiko Casilla and an alleged breach of FA Rule E3 during our Sky Bet Championship match with Charlton Athletic at The Valley in September.”
“Kiko strenuously denies the allegation and has proactively worked with the FA during their investigation to date.”
“The next step of this process will be a personal hearing, in the meantime, Kiko will remain available for selection.”
Fans have had a mixed reaction to the news, a couple even suggesting some sort of conspiracy from the FA and EFL trying to keep them in the Championship.
Breaking – Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has been charged by the FA with racially abusing Charlton Athletic’s Jonathan Leko during the Championship game between the clubs on September 28. #lufc
— Phil Hay (@PhilHay_) November 4, 2019
How can the fa find out if he is guilty or not? Not defending either side but surely it can only be kikos word against lekos?
— Josh (@Joshe____) November 4, 2019
Racism is a terrible thing, but I would want and need to know more before I condemn him. What is he meant to have said? Was it Spanish or English? What is the evidence? Was it something he said, or did? It’s a horrible situation, but I don’t know enough to judge…yet!
— 1919 – Bielsa (@aclr1972) November 4, 2019
Hes gonna get 3 times normal ban cos the FA just cant leave leeds alone, god forbid we should have a decent season with no interference from the fa or efl
— 1919 – 2019 (@scotttownend2) November 4, 2019
The FA are desperate to keep us in this league. Biggest attendances outside the PL and every other clubs Cup final! They know the effect this has on players and fans. It’s why they do it….. @FA and @efl are as corrupt as the next governing body. They’re a blatant disgrace
— Simon I Caulfield (@BigSighZ400) November 4, 2019
If the allegations are true that Casilla racially abused another player, I never want to see him play for Leeds again.
There should be no hiding place for racists.
Casilla insults players like Albert Johanneson and Lucas Radebe by his actions.
Love Football. Hate Racism. pic.twitter.com/KVnGe67JFS
— Stephen Lewis (@vegansmithsfan) November 4, 2019
Kiko Casilla has played 15 times in the Championship so far this season and has a very impressive WhoScored average rating of 6.94/10.
3 year player ban, 30m club fine and 40 points docked incoming
— Gee Of OoO (@MrGumbOoO) November 4, 2019
Convenient that while he’s having his best spell with us, The FA feels it’s a good idea to ban him
— Bob (@BuhOhBuh) November 4, 2019
Good. No place for racism in modern game
— Tom (@dcfcTomm) November 4, 2019
The FA’s stance on racism is a joke. The fact that it is judged on probability and not facts is a mockery. Not only that, it becomes too easy for players to be associated with racism just because someone says they did it. Should be same as courts. Innocent until proven guilty.
— Gary from the KOP (@GarethHuxall) November 4, 2019
What Do We Think?
If after Leeds have responded Casilla is still found guilty, most of these fans that are currently defending him will surely change their minds. To be saying this is a conspiracy to keep the club in the Championship is extremely ludicrous, and shouldn’t be used to brush off the blame in this case.
The FA has stated that anyone found guilty of an aggravated breach faces a mandatory minimum suspension of six matches, according to a report by Sky Sports.