Leeds United need to be very careful with how they handle Kiko Casilla from here on out.
The goalkeeper has been found guilty of racially abusing Jonathan Leko earlier this season, and United have a decision to make.
The FA’s report on the matter states that the Spaniard isn’t a racist, but after the extent of the language he used against Leko became apparent, it’s hard to justify Leeds standing by him.
Fans have called for him to be sacked in the past, and Phil Hay has predicted his departure in the summer, but if Leeds do want to stick by him, he shouldn’t play until the start of next season.
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The goalkeeper is banned for eight games, and with him already missing the Hull City fixture, he will be back in time for United’s game against Barnsley.
Following the Whites’ clash with the Tykes, they face Derby and Charlton, and the nature of those fixtures suggest that Leeds would be foolish to put Casilla back between the sticks.
Their game against Barnsley will be a heated affair, as Yorkshire derbies usually are, and playing Casilla in that one would just provide the opposition supporters with some added ammunition to rile up the players.
The same goes for Derby, the Rams and Leeds have become quite fierce rivals over the past 12 months with spygate and the playoff semi-finals creating a feud between the two clubs that hasn’t been forgotten – United fans openly mocked Derby just a few weeks ago when they were charged by the EFL for financial misconduct.
Putting Casilla in against Charlton would simply be a disaster, this all started when the London club hosted United, so there would rightfully be a huge amount of hostility towards the goalie if he had to face off against the Addicks on the final day of the season.
A lot has been made of Casilla’s mental state over the past few months with a journalist stating that his head has gone after one mistake, while there has also been speculation about him being mentally affected by the FA charge against him. Thus, he may not be able to deal with the jeers that are likely to come against these three teams.
Leeds have to walk a tightrope when dealing with the Spaniard, but if they are to stick by him their best bet is to write off this season and look towards the 2020/21 campaign.
In other news, one Leeds departure should have already happened in January.