Leeds United stopper Kiko Casilla says he has a clear conscience following FA racism ban

Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla says he has a clear conscience after serving an eight-game FA ban due to a racism charge.

The Whites stopper was found guilty by an independent regulatory commission in February following allegations which stemmed from comments allegedly made towards Charlton loanee Jonathan Leko.

The incident occurred in United's game at the Valley last September and the Spaniard was banned for eight games as a result.

Casilla was also handed a £60,000 fine and was told to undergo 'face to face education' following the ruling.

The former Real Madrid stopper released a statement admitting his devastation in the wake of the decision, before back-up goalkeeper Illan Meslier featured under Marcelo Bielsa in all but one of United's remaining games.

Casilla made his return to the club's starting line-up at Derby County in mid-July for his first appearance following the charge after Leeds had secured the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League.

"Nobody showed anything was said," Casilla told Mundo Deportivo.

"I have a clear conscience because I did nothing wrong but I am somewhere else, perhaps more helpless than if I were in Spain.

"I am surprised that six months passed until the sanction. If they had something clear they would have imposed the punishment from the first moment.

"It was not nice to go to some stadiums and hear them call you anything. There are things that I didn't even want to understand.

"It hurt me all that but it cannot be changed. Now, I am clear that I will not accept those charges because I neither insulted nor am a racist."

Asked about playing in the top flight under Bielsa next season at Elland Road, he added: "From the outset you have to be realistic and look towards salvation, which in this league is not just anything.

"And then work hard, be true to our idea and grow little by little."