Foxes praised for opening up

KASPER SCHMEICHEL and his Leicester City team-mates have been praised by counselling and psychotherapy chiefs for being so frank and open about their grief after the King Power Stadium helicopter tragedy.

The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) said the players were a shining example for mental health after Schmeichel described how he had sought help after witnessing the crash which killed club owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

Schmeichel (32) who flew to Thailand with other senior players to Vichai’s funeral ceremony, indicated he had received counselling after watching “it all happen”.

The counselling organisation, which has worked closely with the Professional Footballers’ Association and offered Leicester players and staff counselling, said Schmeichel deserved credit for speaking out.

Suzanne O’Neill, of BACP, said: “It is especially powerful when role models like footballers speak out as it can encourage others to take brave steps towards seeking the therapy they need. Seeking help shows real mental strength.”

Leicester play Burnley this weekend, their first game at the King Power Stadium since the crash. Manager Claude Puel expects an emotionally charged afternoon.

“It was a project of our chairman and it is important to continue his dream,” he said. (© Daily Telegraph, London)