Bielsa hails Meslier's Tigers feat

MARCELO Bielsa saluted stand-in keeper Illan Meslier for his assured performance in the win over Hull.

- Roddy Brooks

Bielsa was unable to select first-choice Kiko Casilla after he was banned for eight games and fined £60,000 by the FA’s disciplinary commission for racially abusing Charlton’s Jonathan Leko during a game in September.

Bielsa first found out about the ban when it was announced on the eve of the match, but replacement Meslier was rarely threatened as Leeds kept up the pressure on Championship leaders West Brom.'

“He was calm and confident and he took risks. He gave us the feeling that he’s confident,” said Bielsa.

“The authorities expressed themselves, also Kiko, also the club. We must accept the rules of the competition and accept those decisions.

All of us are against any kind of discrimination, this is very clear. All of us are against the racists, he (Casilla) is the first one.”