Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla is currently serving an eight-match ban and has been fined £60k for racially abusing Charlton Athletic’s Jonathan Leko during a game at the Valley back in September (as per BBC Sport).
On Tuesday, the Football Association published the written reasons the Spaniard was found guilty via their official website, while Phil Hay also published a piece on the FA’s publication via The Athletic.
As he shared a link to his report on Twitter, these Leeds United supporters discussed the report as it emerged that while the independent commission had reduced Casilla’s ban after concerns over its severity, the Spaniard had in fact been handed an extra two-game suspension for suggesting he was not aware of the racist terms that he allegedly used towards Leko.
Meanwhile, the verdict’s negative take on Casilla’s evidence also got Leeds fans talking as many seemed hesitant to acknowledge the findings of the hearing.
Has Kiko Casilla played his last game for Leeds United?
Yes
No
Finished reading the report this morning, certainly reflects badly on Kiko, Matt Grice and the club. Whilst people should be given a second chance to right wrongs, it’s hard to see a way forward from this. Also surprised LUFC’s QC didn’t clock the holes in the defense beforehand.
— Rob Brookes (@brookesy187) March 4, 2020
I’m split. I dont want to defend Racism( Which I certainly dont) but I dont want to label Kiko a racist on the basis of Probability. The mans whole Career and Reputation have been tarnished
— Jonathon Sloan (@JSloan1995) March 4, 2020
No one looks good from this by what you have written Leko, to Roberts & Leeds too. Hopefully we can move from & concrete on the football now. By the looks of it we’ve seen Kiko play his last game especially at the age of 33 too.
— Barney V2 (@barney___21) March 4, 2020
Astonishingly this gets even more ludicrous under scrutiny. 2 extra games because the Commission can see inside Kiko’s brain memory cells. Amazing… oops, I mean totally bizarre, and arrogant in the extreme. What a precedent. No evidence, ergo No case to answer. Disgrace! #LUFC
— Steve Courtney (@Coolhand6661) March 4, 2020
I’ve got no time for Kiko, he’s done.
— Saádiq (@_Saadiq) March 4, 2020
It’s embarrassing, especially with the lack of punishment the Bulgarians got after the England game. Who cares if he knows the N word or doesn’t… 8 Games doesn’t justify anything based on probability. Marching On.
— Josh Miller (@JOSHHM2392) March 4, 2020
Implication seems to be a decent guy made a big mistake. Phil’s right, everyone deserves a 2nd chance. He’s been punished, club and players have already moved on – that’s sensible.
— WJ (@jessop_william) March 4, 2020
The fans have been split into ,for Kiko/against Kiko, we need to be united, other teams will be wanting all of this, We’ve had our punishment, let’s not make it worse, let’s get on with the league??MOT ALAW pic.twitter.com/HeJxxf086i
— Marching On Together (@MarchingOnToge3) March 4, 2020
Having read the report I find it hard that Leko&Bonne were trusted considering the many changes to their statement.Saying Kiko shouted loud enough surprised me no one at pitch side heard it.Also if so shocked,why not tell the ref what was said instead of saying kikos a racist ?
— Simon?? (@SydidoAv) March 4, 2020
What do we think?
We believe the report reflects badly on Casilla and Leeds United as a club, but Marcelo Bielsa’s side can ill-afford to let this distract them as they look to seal automatic promotion to the Premier League. Illan Meslier will likely be tasked with keeping goal for the Whites for as long as the 33-year-old is banned, and whether Leeds fans feel Casilla’s punishment is justified or not, the promotion chasers hardly ever seemed likely to come out of this situation in a positive light.