Jonathan Leko receives apology from PFA after accusing them of failing to support him in racism case

Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla was given an eight-match ban after he was found to have used a racial slur towards the forward

Jonathan Leko, 20, has spoken for the first time since the incident (Getty)

The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has issued an apology to Jonathan Leko after the West Brom forward accused them of failing to support him during his racism case against Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla.

The PFA said it would review its procedures as a result of a statement released by Leko, in which he suggested there had been “minimal contact” from the association after his allegation towards Casilla.

The PFA said it had “wrongly assumed” Leko did not require assistance from them after they contacted the 20-year-old and received no response.

“We’d like to apologise to Jonathan,” a statement from the PFA read. “We do not want any player to feel unsupported when going through something as difficult as this.

“We’re grateful for Jonathan’s feedback and will review our procedures to ensure we learn from this moving forward.”

Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla was given an eight-match ban after he was found to have used a racial slur towards the forward while he was playing for Charlton Athletic in a Championship match back in September.

Casilla initially denied the charge but an independent regulatory commission found the breach proven.

The Spaniard was also fined £60,000 and ordered to attend face-to-face education.

Leko, speaking for the first time since the verdict was handed down, called on football’s governing bodies to do more when such incidents are reported.

“I am naturally relieved that the process is now complete and the FA have upheld what I have always known to be true – that I was racially abused by Kiko Casilla in a manner which shocked me and still angers and upsets me to this day,” he said in a statement.

“I have been disappointed with the amount of time it has taken to reach this point. Knowing what occurred in the game that day, it has been difficult to watch Kiko Casilla continue to play for such a lengthy period as if nothing had happened.

“I would urge the game’s governing bodies to look into their own processes when such incidents are reported. It was 22 weeks between the incident and the hearing during which I had minimal contact from the PFA, of which I am a member, and no contact in the way of support from leading anti-racism bodies such as ‘Kick It Out’ and ‘Show Racism The Red Card’. Some support or guidance would have been very welcome.”