Journalist details allegation and evidence Casilla will be relying on in FA hearing next week
Kiko Casilla’s FA hearing over his charge for racist abuse has finally been set for next week after a wait of almost five months for the Leeds United keeper.
The charge relates to an incident in the Leeds v Charlton game in September and details of the case have been reported by the Telegraph’s John Percy.
Percy says the hearing will take place next Tuesday and Wednesday with Casilla facing a minimum six-game ban if found guilty.
West Brom player Jonathan Leko, on loan at Charlton, has alleged that Casilla used the ‘N’ word towards him, something that Casilla has consistently denied.
Casilla will rely on the evidence of lip readers that he has already supplied to the FA.
He is also being fully supported by his teammates, former teammates and Marcelo Bielsa.
Tragic case that’s already hurt Leeds
No one wants to trivialise a serious allegation like this. If Casilla is found guilty then he will face a substantial ban.
However, Casilla has vigorously denied the charge and his use of lip readers would suggest that he’s adamant that he hasn’t said what he’s supposed to have said.
Casilla has had this case hanging over him for a long time now and it could be argued that this has already hurt Leeds.
Casilla’s form has been terrible recently and it’s entirely possible that something like this would be playing on his mind – whether he’s innocent or guilty.
Surely cases like this could be expedited by the FA?
Saying that, there are no winners here in what is obviously a tragic case.
If Casilla is innocent then he’s had his reputation tarnished but Leko obviously believes he heard what he heard.
Either way, the sooner this is sorted, the better for all concerned.
In other Leeds United news, ‘From what I’ve heard’ – Matt Murray makes surpise claim about Casilla FA charge