Casilla charged with racial abuse
LONDON: Leeds goalkeeper Kiko Casilla has been charged with racially abusing Charlton forward Jonathan Leko during a Championship fixture.
The Spaniard, 33, is alleged to have made discriminatory comments towards Leko during the match on September 28.
The Football Association said Casilla, who joined Leeds in January, has until November 12 to provide a response.
An FA statement published on Monday said Casilla has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E3.
It is alleged that his words “made reference to race and/or colour and/or ethnic origin”.
A player found guilty of an aggravated breach of the Football Association’s (FA) discrimination rules faces a minimum of six-match suspension, which may be increased based on any additional aggravating factors.
Leeds released a statement saying the Spaniard “strenuously denies” the charge.
“Kiko strenuously denies the allegation and has proactively worked with the FA during their investigation to date,” the club said.
“The next step of this process will be a personal hearing. In the meantime Kiko will remain available for selection.”
SPURS APPEAL SON RED CARD
LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur have appealed the red card shown to striker Son Heung-min for the tackle that led to Everton midfielder Andre Gomes suffering a horrific ankle injury in their Premier League match on Sunday, British media have reported.
Gomes suffered a fracture dislocation to his right ankle in the second half of the 1-1 draw at Goodison Park after landing off balance at speed after the tackle from Son and then colliding with Spurs full-back Serge Aurier.
Portugal international Gomes had surgery on Monday and Everton said afterwards he was expected to make a full recovery. Referee Martin Atkinson showed Son a red card for his tackle on Gomes and the Premier League said after the match that he had been dismissed for “endangering the safety of a player”.
Both the BBC and the Guardian reported that Spurs had appealed to the Football Association asking for the red card to be rescinded.
South Korea international Son, who was in tears in the dressing room after the match, will be banned for Tottenham’s next three Premier League matches against Sheffield United, West Ham and Bournemouth if the appeal is unsuccessful.