MOT View: Leeds must do right thing as worrying update on Casilla FA findings reported
After waiting an age to deliver their verdict in the Casilla racism case – only to drop it on the evening before the Hull game – the FA is now dragging its feet publishing the written reasons.
We were expecting to see these on Monday but it looks like the FA are intent on making Leeds wait again.
There can’t be a good reason for this. Why drag things on any longer for any of the parties involved?
Leeds have accepted the ruling and moved on. Casilla is going to sit out his eight-game ban.
The hearing was concluded over a week ago – how long does it take to release your notes?
The written reasons are important. Leeds are backing Casilla so far, as are the majority of fans.
However, it’s possible that could change depending on what the written notes say.
Everyone will remember how spectacularly wrong Liverpool got it when they supported Luis Suarez.
The only clue that we’ve had so far on what the FA is going to publish has come from the Daily Mail.
For once they’ve been fairly accurate with their reporting through this case, stating back in November that Casilla was due to get a ban of between 8-12 games.
Of the FA’s written reasons, they’ve now said that “insiders say they will not make pleasant reading for Leeds”.
There’s a possibility that the Daily Mail have got this wrong, although it wasn’t written up in a sensational way by Mike Keegan.
We’ve waited this long so we can wait a few more days for the evidence, but Leeds could have to face the prospect of a climbdown over Casilla.
And, if the FA’s findings are as bad as the Daily Mail report suggests, they may have to take action themselves.
We think it’s important to keep an open mind over this. No one likes the balance of probability that led to Casilla being found guilty.
But, Leeds have to be seen to do the right thing when the FA notes are released – and this update means it doesn’t sound good.
Meanwhile, one thing Leeds and the fans can be united on is how disgracefully the FA have handled this.
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