DM1ST
mirror.co.uk/sport WEDNESDAY 04.03.2020 DAILY MIRROR^51
REJECTION Robinson was
part of the three-man panelalso upset that trolls have
now targeted Congo-born
Leko on social media.
In their written reasons
confirming Mirror Sport’s
story on Saturday, the FA
argued a draconian
punishment was needed as
a deterrent.
But the governing body
was overruled, despite
pointing out Casilla’s
bizarre claim that he had
never heard of the N-word.
The FA felt Casilla, 33,
had tried “to deceive the
tribunal” and his high-
profile character witnesses,
including former Liverpool,
Real Madrid and Newcastle
boss Rafa Benitez, were a
“shameless ploy”.
The three-man
independent panel
consisted of Graeme
McPherson QC, former
Blackburn striker Marvin
Robinson and England
winger Stuart
Ripley (right).
Casilla
was alleged
to have
insulted
Leko during
Charlton’s 1-0 win
at The Valley in September.
His words were heard by
Leno and team-mate
Macauley Bonne, who both
gave evidence.
The keeper denied the
charge, but the commission
rejected his evidence and
that of Leeds team
manager Matt Grice, who
“was not seeking to assist
us to ascertain the truth”.
Under rules introduced
for the 2019-20 season, the
minimum ban for a player
found guilty of an
aggravated breach of the
FA’s racism rules is six
games. But that penalty
can be increased
depending on additional
aggravating factors.
Casilla was also fined
£60,000 and ordered to
attend a face-to-face
education session. But the
FA argued that Casilla’s
evidence along with a lack
of any apology to Leko, 20,
were aggravating factors
requiring a longer ban.
Instead, he will be
available for promotion-
chasing Leeds’ final three
games of the season –
including their home match
against Charlton.Kiko ban
‘not long
enough’
FA CUP 5th ROUND
Stamford Bridge
Liverpool is massive for
me. As an Everton fan, it’s
always a dream to score
against them.”
Boss Frank Lampard
said: “I‘m really proud.
Liverpool are the best
team in the league
and what they are
doing is incredible.
“So for us to put in
a performance
like that, the
effort, the quality
was something
special. We know we’ve got
a long way to go, but you
have to celebrate those
moments.”
The FA Cup exit
continued a remarkable
loss of form for JurgenKlopp’s Premier League
champions-elect.
They have now suffered
three defeats in four games
after a 1-0 loss to Atletico
Madrid in the Champions
League and their
remarkable Premier League
3-0 defeat at Watford.
Chelsea’s win would have
been even more emphatic
had Adrian not denied
Pedro in a one-on-one and
Mason Mount and Olivier
Giroud not hit the bar.
But the Blues had to
count the cost of marching
into the quarter-finals.
Midfielder Mateo Kovacic
had to go off just before
half-time and Willian also
limped off with an injury
shortly after the break.from back pageKLOPP’S CALAMITY KEEPER
Kop rivals
can smell
blood now
BY DARREN LEWIS
FIRST Atletico, then that
collapse at Watford. Now this.
Glass half-full? The FA Cup
is not that high on Liverpool’s
list of priorities anyway.
The Premier League title is
pretty much wrapped up and a
side this good does not lose
their class overnight.
That Champions League
showdown against Atletico
Madrid in front of the Kop next
week, however, does take on
an entirely new complexion.
Jurgen Klopp will not panic.
Nor will the assembled
avengers in the Anfield
dressing room.
But given their recent form,
Liverpool’s opponents will be
acutely aware of the seeds of
doubt now planted in the
minds of some of the younger
players and the B-listers.
The recent run is also a
stark reminder of the
importance of Jordan
Henderson to this team.
After Dejan Lovren laboured
at Watford on Saturday, it was
said that stability would return
to the Reds’ defence once Joe
Gomez was fit again.
Yet without Henderson’s
leadership and industry in
midfield, the jigsaw still isn’t
quite complete.
So that’s three defeats in
four and a Liverpool side for
whom the winter break proved
a hindrance rather than a
help.
Their momentum has gone.
Their belief is clearly still there
but they are no longer
imposing their will on rivals.
Chelsea had won more
games on the road than at the
Bridge before last night.
But they might have had
five goals had Mason Mount
and Olivier Giroud (above) not
hit the bar – and Pedro not
been denied in a one-on-one
with Adrian.
Chelsea showed more guile,
more quality and might have
won even more handsomely.
As it is, Klopp has some
thinking to do.
His rivals are smelling blood- and they are going in for the
kill.
enjoyed behind Williams was
occasionally disconcerting.
But there is no doubt he is a
major talent, along with Curtis
Jones, who grew into the game
in the second half.
His increasing influence was
symptomatic of Liverpool
taking a grip on proceedings.
Although Chelsea were
hardly helped by the premature
departures of Mateo Kovacic –
just before half-time – and
Willian (right), just after half-
time.
Not that their replacements,
Mason Mount and Jorginho,
were too shabby.
Mount finds himself in a log-
jam of talented young English
midfielders.
But, in this extended cameo,
gave more evidence to support
Gareth Southgate’s apparent
trust in him.
His sharpness drew one
dangerous free-kick
from which he hit
the crossbar.
But several
eye-catching
midfield
performances
were eclipsed
by the one
m o m e n t o f
surging brilliance
from Barkley.
Pedro missed
a sitter and
Olivier Giroud
hit the crossbar.
B u t B a rkl e y ’s
beauty after 64
minutes ensured
Chelsea were
out of sight.
It was one of
his better nights
in the company
of Liverpool fans,
that is for sure.from back page