FA report reveals WhatsApp conversation between Tyler Roberts and Leko after Casilla incident
A WhatsApp conversation between Leeds United attacker Tyler Roberts and Jonathan Leko was used as evidence in the FA’s hearing about allegations that Kiko Casilla had racially abused the West Brom youngster.
The FA published their written reasons on their official website on Tuesday evening after banning Casilla, 33, for eight matches last week when his charge of racially abusing Leko, 20, was found to be proven.
The incident occurred on September 28 when Leko was on loan at Charlton and, as revealed by the FA, during the game, Casilla was alleged to have called Leko a “f***** n*****”.
After the match, Leko exchanged WhatsApp messages with his former West Brom team-mate Roberts.
As details on the FA’s report, Roberts asked whether Casilla had been racist towards Leko, who responded by saying “yo”.
Roberts asked Leko what Casilla said and the West Brom attacker answered: “U f****** n****”
Roberts asked Leko: “You sure fam?”. Leko responded “Yh fam”.
Leeds’ Roberts then told Leko what Casilla told him: “He said he said what’s your f****** name”.
The FA’s report says that this piece of evidence helped confirm Leko’s recollection of the events at The Valley on that day, meaning that his allegations against Casilla were consistent.
The FA also found that Leko would have no reason to tell Roberts what he heard Casilla say “unless he genuinely believed he had done so” as the two have known each other for a long time from their days at West Brom’s academy.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has answered a question asking if Leeds can sign Daniel Sturridge on a free transfer.