Victor Orta hails mental strength of Leeds United goalkeeper Kiko Casilla and assistance to Illan Meslier

Casilla was handed an eight-game ban and fined £60,000 in February after the FA found him guilty of using racist language towards Charlton Athletic striker Jonathan Leko in the 1-0 loss at The Valley last September.

The allegations were always strongly denied by Casilla and with the EFL season now suspended amidst the global battle against coronavirus, Casilla has still only served two games of that ban with the shotstopper due to be back available for United's third-last game at home to Barnsley.

And in the meantime, Whites director of football Orta has expressed his pride in the manner in which Casilla has reacted to adversity and helped current Whites 'no 1' Meslier.

Meslier joined Leeds on a season-long loan from French side FC Lorient last summer and the 20-year-old finally made his Whites debut in the third round FA Cup clash at Arsenal in January.

With Casilla banned, Meslier then kept clean sheets in his first two league games for Leeds in the 4-0 win at Hull City and 2-0 triumph at home to Huddersfield Town.

Now, says Orta, the help of Casilla is proving key with United's director of football singing the praises of both Casilla and Whites playmaker Pablo Hernandez when asked about his two native countrymen in an interview with EFE Agency.

"They have a rather loud chant and almost one of the most repeated, they sing it two or three times each time," said Orta, alluding to the Kiko Casilla and Pablo Hernandez song.

"Pablo here is an idol for his way of being and his professional handling on and off the field; I learn from him every day.

"It is an example and its ambition is what guides us many times, it is a reference for the wardrobe.

"Kiko arrived less time ago.

"He has had adversities and has managed to overcome them, he has known how to feel the colours of the club and interpret what this team is.

"I am also very proud because with all the adversities he has suffered, he is still mentally very strong and helping a lot.

"Even with the current situation, he is helping Meslier (Illan), the young goalkeeper, after the sanction received.

"The truth is that I am very proud of both of them."

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty.

So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time.

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes - from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor

READ MORE: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/opinion/were-therewithyou-now-your-yep-needs-your-support-too-laura-collins-yep-editor-2521777