The Leeds goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has been given an eight-match ban after he was found to have used racist language towards a Charlton player during a Sky Bet Championship match in September.
Casilla had denied the charge but an independent regulatory commission found the breach proven. The Spaniard has also been fined £60,000 and ordered to attend face-to-face education.
Casilla was alleged to have made the discriminatory comments towards Jonathan Leko during the fixture on 28 September.
A statement from Leeds read: “Leeds United acknowledges that Kiko Casilla has been found guilty of breaching FA Rule E3 during our Sky Bet Championship game with Charlton Athletic in September 2019. We would like to make it clear that we do not tolerate any form of discrimination within our football club and we are a leader in the fight against discrimination within our wider community.
“However, it is important to recognise that Kiko has always denied making any racist comment. The FA panel have based their decision on the balance of probability rather than proving Kiko to be guilty beyond reasonable doubt, which we have always believed is the more appropriate burden of proof.”
Casilla, who was signed from Real Madrid in January 2019, has started all of Leeds’ league matches this season. His ban will start with Saturday’s trip to Hull and he will not be available again until Leeds face Barnsley on 18 April.
