Leicester confirm the sad passing of owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha

The Thai businessman's helicopter crashed into a staff car park in the hours following Saturday's game, with the emergency services being called into action to tackle the blazing inferno that emerged from the wreckage.

Now, after much speculation, Leicester have confirmed that their owner was indeed on board, with all five of those who boarded the chopper tragically losing their lives.

A club statement read: "It is with the deepest regret and a collective broken heart that we confirm our Chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, was among those to have tragically lost their lives on Saturday evening when a helicopter carrying him and four other people crashed outside King Power Stadium. None of the five people on-board survived.

"The primary thoughts of everyone at the Club are with the Srivaddhanaprabha family and the families of all those on-board at this time of unspeakable loss.

In Khun Vichai, the world has lost a great man. A man of kindness, of generosity and a man whose life was defined by the love he devoted to his family and those he so successfully led. Leicester City was a family under his leadership. It is as a family that we will grieve his passing and maintain the pursuit of a vision for the Club that is now his legacy.

"A book of condolence, whilch will be shared with the Srivaddhanaprabha family, will be opened at the King Power Stadium from 8am on Tuesday 30 October for supporters wishing to pay their respects.

"Supporters unable to visit King Power Stadium that wish to leave a message can do so through an online book of condolence, which will be made available via lcfc.com in due course.

"Both Tuesday's first Team fixture against Southampton in the EFL Cup and the Development Squad fixture against Feyenoord in the Premier League International Cup have been postponed.

"Everyone at the club has been truly touched by the remarkable response of the football family, whose thoughtful messages of support and solidarity have been deeply appreciated at this difficult time."

Tributes have poured in from all over the footballing world and beyond for the man who allowed Leicester to achieve the improbable as they defied the odds to become Premier League champions in 2015/16.

Vichai, one of the richest men in Thailand, bought the 'Foxes' back in 2010, guiding them to promotion to the Premier League before they became the unlikliest of champions just a year after narrowly avoiding a return to the Championship.

 

October 28, 2018