Phil Hay delivers update about Casilla FA charge
Phil Hay has said that Leeds United keeper Kiko Casilla is heading for an FA hearing in February.
The charge of racist abuse stems from an incident in the Championship game against Charlton back at the end of September.
Jonathan Leko claims that he was racially abused by Casilla, an allegation that was backed up by Charlton teammate Macauley Bonne.
In a statement on the Leeds website, Casilla strenuously denied the charges and requested a hearing.
The wheels have been moving very slowly in the FA, with initial thinking being that the hearing would be in January.
That looks unlikely and writing on the Athletic website, Hay said he had heard it would now take place in February.
“The FA are saying very little but the few indications I’ve had suggest the hearing will take place next month,” Hay said.
“It happened at the end of September. Granted everyone needs time to get their ducks in a row but there’s no justification for this dragging on too much longer.”
If Casilla is found guilty then he will get a minimum six-game ban. If that happens, Leeds will look to 19-year-old Illan Meslier as his replacement.
Meslier made his debut in the FA Cup clash against Arsenal and put in an assured display. His distribution was excellent and he made some smart stops.
The confidence that Leeds have in Meslier has led to them deciding they don’t need to sign an experienced back-up in January, with 18-year-old Elia Caprile set to join in January and hook up with the Under-23s.
MOT Leeds News columnist Paul Robinson thinks this is a “huge risk”.
He said, “It’s a huge gamble and a huge risk to take. Meslier played very well against Arsenal, but that’s his first chance and the first opportunity we got to truly see him.”
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