FANS WILL STAND UNITED
LEICESTER City fans are planning a special tribute to their owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha for this weekend’s game against Cardiff City.
The popular Thai owner died, along with four others, on Saturday night in a helicopter crash outside the club’s King Power Stadium -- a tragedy that has stunned the footballing world and shaken the club to its core.
Tributes have been pouring in all week, with Foxes players and fans visiting the stadium to lay down flowers and shirts to pay their respects to the man lovingly known simply as “Vichai”.
And supporters attending this weekend’s game at Cardiff City Stadium, which was given the go-ahead earlier this week after discussions between the clubs, will stage their own special homage.
Union FS, a prominent Leicester City supporters’ group, is encouraging fans to put their “Scarves up for Vichai”.
They want every Leicester fan who attends the game to raise a scarf when the teams come out while singing the club anthem When You’re Smiling to show support for the late owner and his family, as well as the Foxes players and officials.
They will then repeat the gesture on 60 minutes, in recognition of the 60 years of Srivaddhanaprabha’s life.
Leicester fans are also inviting their Cardiff counterparts to raise their scarves as well, as Bluebirds boss Neil Warnock offers his full support.
“Honestly get the feeling they want to show some sort of respect to us on Saturday for our loss,” said one Foxes fan online.
“We are all behind Leicester, the players and the fans,” said Warnock.
“We can’t have a say in it whatsoever. We are all supportive. Vincent Tan knew Vichai well and so did the others. There are all sorts of things that have to be taken into consideration.
“I can promise the Cardiff fans will be amazing. I’m sure there will be a lot of tears.
“Our supporters have been absolutely fantastic this season and will make sure it is a suitable occasion, but it will be a difficult afternoon.”
On the pitch, players will wear black armbands and the whole stadium will observe a minute’s silence before the game.
It has also been announced that the Leicester chairman’s funeral will take place in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday and will last for several days as per Buddhist tradition.
Leicester fans are also planning a walk to Filbert Way from the city centre before the home game against Burnley next week, as well as a Tifo in memory of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
Honestly get the feeling they want to show some sort of respect to us on Saturday for our loss Foxes fan online
We are all behind Leicester, the players and the fans Neil Warnock