Leicester to play Saturday after death of owner

LEICESTER, ENGLAND — Leicester’s Premier League fixture against Cardiff is going ahead as planned Saturday — the soccer team’s first game since the death of its owner and four other people in a helicopter crash.

Leicester’s players have been visibly affected by the tragedy and have spent Monday and Tuesday attending commemorative events to pay tribute to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the club’s popular Thai owner.

His helicopter spiralled out of control as it left the King Power Stadium following a Premier League game on Saturday.

Leicester’s English League

Cup match against Southampton, scheduled for Tuesday, was cancelled, while games involving the club’s women’s team were also called off in wake of the crash.

There will be a minute’s silence before kickoff in the Cardiff-Leicester match in the Welsh capital, as there will be at games throughout England’s top division this weekend. Players will wear black armbands as a mark of respect.

“We will be offering our support to Leicester City in any way necessary in respect of this weekend’s fixture,” Cardiff chief executive Ken Choo said.

Leicester opened a book of condolence inside a specially erected marquee in memory of Vichai on Tuesday, as more supporters and people from the wider community arrived at the stadium to pay their respects.

Striker Jamie Vardy laid a wreath at a shrine that includes flowers and soccer jerseys.