Charlton Athletic condemn social media abuse of Jonathan Leko and Macauley Boone after Kiko Casilla guilty of racist comment

BY RICHARD CAWLEY

Charlton Athletic have condemned social media abuse directed towards Jonathan Leko and Macauley Bonne after the FA found Kiko Casilla guilty of a racial comment.

The Leeds United goalkeeper has been banned for eight matches and fined £60,000 for the incident at The Valley in September.

The FA have published the written reasons behind their verdict today.

Casilla’s racist word was aimed at Leko, who has subsequently seen his loan stay at West Bromwich Albion ended due to a season-ending knee injury.

Addicks striker Bonne, as well as Leko, gave evidence to the FA about the incident, which occurred as Charlton attacked a second-half corner.

Charlton’s statement today said: “The club is pleased there is finally a resolution following the news that Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla will be banned for an incident that took place when they played at The Valley in September.

“However, the club is disappointed with the abuse on social media that Jonathan Leko and Macauley Bonne have received following the news.

“Jonathan was a victim in this incident and the pair of them did not ask for this, the club is proud of both of them for standing up as football continues to fight racism.

“Charlton Athletic’s priority in the process has been supporting the players involved. Racist abuse is abhorrent and completely unacceptable, at no point should an individual have to experience racist abuse on the football pitch or in any walk of life.

“This is not the first time in the last 12 months one of our players has been subjected to racist abuse; last year the club twice reported racist abuse on social media directed towards Lyle Taylor to the police.

“All of us in football still have so much work to do.

“The club will continue its work with various anti-racism organisations and the Charlton Athletic Community Trust on anti-racism and anti-discrimination projects and urges anyone who witnesses racist abuse to report it.

“The club’s annual Red, White and Black Day, which has been running since 1994, takes place during our upcoming game against QPR on March 17. Red, White and Black Day is an initiative of the Charlton Athletic Race & Equality Partnership (CARE) which celebrates diversity.”