Leeds United keeper gets eight-game ban for racist abuse of Charlton striker
Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has been hit with an eight-game ban after the Football Association was found guilty of racially abusing Jonathan Leko, who was on loan at Charlton Athletic at the time.
The Spaniard’s comment was made in his side’s 1-0 defeat at The Valley on September 28.
An FA statement read: “Kiko Casilla has been suspended for eight matches with immediate effect, fined £60,000 and must attend face-to-face education after a breach of FA Rule E3(2) was found proven by an independent regulatory commission.
“The Leeds United goalkeeper denied using abusive and/or insulting words, which were contrary to FA Rule E3(1) and constituted an “aggravated breach”, which is defined in FA Rule E3(2), as they made reference to race and/or colour and/or ethnic origin, towards a Charlton Athletic player during an EFL Championship fixture on Saturday 28 September 2019.
“The independent regulatory commission’s written reasons will be published on the week commencing Monday March 2, 2020.”
Casilla has always denied the charge.
He released his own statement. He said: “I do not feel at all that the guilty verdict is a clear reflection of the incident,
“I am sure my family, friends, colleagues and the different technical teams whom I have been working with for all these years know that I would NEVER use my words with a racist meaning.
“I would like to deeply thank Leeds for its support during this time and I appreciate the support of our amazing fans, whose warmth has strengthened me.”
PHOTO BY PAUL EDWARDS
Everyone at the South London Press thanks you for your continued support.
Former Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has encouraged everyone in the country who can afford to do so to buy a newspaper, and told the Downing Street press briefing:
“A FREE COUNTRY NEEDS A FREE PRESS, AND THE NEWSPAPERS OF OUR COUNTRY ARE UNDER SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL PRESSURE”
If you can afford to do so, we would be so grateful if you can make a donation which will allow us to continue to bring stories to you, both in print and online. Or please make cheques payable to “MSI Media Limited” and send by post to South London Press, Unit 112, 160 Bromley Road, Catford, London SE6 2NZ
