David Woods

Wed 4 March 2020 12:00, UK

Leeds are continuing to back Kiko Casilla after the written reasons for his eight-game ban were released by the FA, according to talkSPORT host Jim White.

White has revealed he was told by Leeds on Tuesday night that Casilla is a “highly popular and highly regarded” player at the club.

The written reasons behind the FA verdict didn’t look good for Leeds, with Casilla’s defence said to be not credible by the three-man panel.

Leeds had previously released a statement that accepted the verdict but questioned it being made on the “balance of probability” as opposed to “beyond all reasonable doubt”.

Talking on the Jim White Show (talkSPORT, Wednesday, 10am), White asked, “Is the fine and the length of ban suitable? Did Leeds strike the right tone in their statement? Nine years on from Suarez/Evra, how much how we learned?”

White went on to say, “Leeds told me last night that Kiko Casilla is a highly popular and very well regarded player at the club.”

White went on to ask guest Trevor Sinclair whether the eight-game ban and £60,000 fine was enough.

“It’s a lot of money, it’s a fifth of the season,” said Sinclair.

“The disappointing part for me if you’re a Leeds United player of colour in that team, you’d be very disappointed about what was said. There’s going to be some serious discussions going on.”

Leeds have backed Casilla through the incident so far but have decided not to appeal the FA’s verdict.

However, it looks like they’re still backing the player, despite a backlash from some Leeds fans after the FA report was released.

Racism has to be stamped out and while the “balance of probability” leaves doubt, how else can incidents like this be acted on?

It will be fascinating to see what Leeds do next as calls for internal discipline of Casilla grow among supporters.

For now, it seems that Casilla still has the support of his club.

In other Leeds United news, ‘Another tactic to stop Leeds getting promoted’ – Many fans react to Graham Smyth EFL update