FA to interview Leko on Thursday
West Brom loanee Jonathan Leko has alleged that Leeds goalkeeper Kiko Casilla was guilty of racist abuse in the game against Charlton last weekend, and is set to be interviewed by the FA.
The Sun broke the news on Tuesday and we understand that another Charlton player is ready to back Leko up and testify to the FA.
That was in the story from Athletic journalist Phil Hay, who also said: “Sources have told The Athletic that Casilla denies making racist remarks and that he and Leko spoke and shook hands after full-time at The Valley.”
West Brom journalist Steve Madeley delivered the update today, saying the FA would interview both Charlton players later on Thursday.
Madeley reiterated the point that Casilla is “understood to deny the allegation strenuously”.
Sheffield Wednesday’s Fernando Forestieri was banned for six games earlier this month after his appeal against using racist language was rejected.
That came after the FA announced that the minimum ban for any player found guilty of racist abuse would be six games. [BBC]
The Forestieri case was based purely on the word of Mansfield’s Krystian Pearce and the Sheffield Wednesday player. Forestieri has always denied the charge.
Leko has back-up from another Charlton player and if both give the same story to the FA then Casilla will have a strong case against him.
It goes without saying that there is no room for racism anywhere in the game, let alone on the pitch.