Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa explains Kiko Casilla captaincy call after anger from section of Whites over racism charge

Marcelo Bielsa respects the opinions of those who condemned Kiko Casilla's appointment as Leeds United's captain against Hull City, but believes the dressing room backed the decision.
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The Whites head coach said he interpreted the feelings of the players before handing the armband to the goalkeeper for the Carabao Cup tie, won 9-8 on penalties by Hull.

Bielsa's decision provoked opposition from a section of the club's fans due to Casilla's eight game ban for a racism charge last season.

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When asked to explain his decision, Bielsa said the Spaniard was an acceptable choice for captain in the minds of his fellow players and that should be taken into consideration given their experience of Casilla.

"I interpreted the feelings of his team-mates," said Bielsa.

"His team-mates think he deserved to be the captain and we have to listen to those messages. The players see in their captain someone they feel can represent them.

"I respect the opinions of any person. After that opinions can be argued. Surely those who judge Kiko ignore a lot of the things his team-mates see in him?"

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Bielsa said he could not be limited to just considering the opinion of fans when making his decision and questioned the scale of the opposition to Casilla's selection.

PLAYER BACKING - Marcelo Bielsa said the Leeds United players accepted Kiko Casilla as their captain for the Hull City game.PLAYER BACKING - Marcelo Bielsa said the Leeds United players accepted Kiko Casilla as their captain for the Hull City game.
PLAYER BACKING - Marcelo Bielsa said the Leeds United players accepted Kiko Casilla as their captain for the Hull City game.

"You're saying I should have contemplated over whether to pick Kiko as captain, either take the opinion of the fans or the players," he said.

"I cannot deny that the captain not only represents his team-mates but he also represents the club.

"So that means you cannot limit yourself to think about just what the players' wishes were. It is also important that you guys might not know is what percentage of the fanbase actually didn't want Kiko as captain. The opinion of the masses should always be heard. But I don't know if you guys know what percentage of fans it is. Of course we also value the conduct of Kiko which only we can judge because we are part of the group. When you are subject to what other people judge you for, what other people think, it doesn't matter what we think, we have to accept the decision of the authorities. If there is a correlation between what the authorities, the fans and his team-mates think, surely the public won't have all the information that his team-mates would have?"

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Casilla made an error for Hull City's fourth minute opener last night but went on to make a couple of key saves, stopped a penalty in the shootout and scored one himself.

Illan Meslier has become the number one choice keeper at Elland Road thanks to the performances he produced during Casilla's ban late last season. The 20-year-old's position as Bielsa's preference between the posts led to speculation that Casilla would leave the club in the summer but no move has materialised and he clearly retains a place in the head coach's plans.

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