Schmeichel waved off tragic Leicester owner
KASPER SCHMEICHEL has emotionally revealed how he waved off Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in his helicopter from the King Power Stadium pitch before watching it crash in a car park.
The Leicester City goalkeeper, who arrived with other senior players at the club owner’s funeral ceremony in Bangkok yesterday, indicated he had received counselling after watching “it all happen”.
Schmeichel, who was shaking before kick-off against Cardiff City and then in tears after the final whistle, showed remarkable mental strength on Saturday to return to playing duties after witnessing the tragedy seven days previously.
After watching the helicopter spiral to the ground, he was reportedly held back by police as he rushed to help the victims.
Asked about his personal trauma, the Denmark international said: “I spoke to someone. I was on the pitch, I waved him off, I saw it all happen.
Support
“It was something that will stay with me, unfortunately, but the club has been great and given us all the support we needed.”
Schmeichel, 32, put his personal wounds to one side by delivering a stirring on-pitch rallying cry to the players before Saturday’s kick-off and then keeping a clean sheet during the match.
The goalkeeper, who raced 60 yards to join celebrations after the second-half winner, was among a group of players who called for the entire squad to join them at the centre circle for the pre-match minute’s silence.
“It was tough, so tough, but we wanted to do it for the chairman and his family,” he said.
“We are professional footballers and we were brought here to do a job. The emotion is not necessarily a bad thing. It gives you a certain strength as well.”
Schmeichel and the players spent
20 minutes out on the pitch after the final whistle thanking the travelling support, many of whom were moved to tears by the emotion of the day.
“We wanted to be together about this,” he added.
“We have all lost a family member. We wouldn’t be here without him. He brought everyone here and none of this, none of these memories, the family he has built, the culture he has instilled, how he was, would have happened without him.
“This club was in a precarious situation and to build what he has built is quite amazing.
“It’s one thing building a team and a club, but we are all more proud of being part of the family that he created.
“The feeling he has instilled in everybody in being welcome, no matter your position at the club, the playing staff, stadium staff, everyone is equal.”
The Leicester coaching staff decided against giving any tactical talk before the match. Manager Claude Puel instead instructed his men to channel their emotions.
Schmeichel added: “Wes [Morgan] said a bit, I said a bit. We all had a lot to say. There was no real need for game-plans or tactics. It was about controlling emotions.
“It was tough, but we controlled it well. We talked about sticking together and being what we always are as a family and how proud we are to be here.”
The players have been overwhelmed by the support from around the world.
“On a human level, we are just so thankful,” added Schmeichel, who said the game “felt like a cup final. When tragedy strikes, everyone just comes together”.
He added: “Stories keep coming out of how kind and generous he was. I can only speak for myself. The impact on my family has been amazing. I’m proud to have been part of his family.”
Puel, Jamie Vardy and Morgan travelled with Schmeichel after the match on a chartered flight to the Thai Buddhist temple funeral of Vichai, who was killed with two of his staff and two pilots.
The Leicester manager spoke of his pride on Saturday and said his players had grown as people over the past week. He said the players must contain their emotions again for their home match against Burnley next weekend.
History
“I think all my staff and players are growing as people,” he said. “It is a good thing.
“Afterwards we will not be the same men and together we have to move on, to manage the emotion, and keep the right way. It was the project of our chairman and it is important to keep this history going.”
For 90 minutes, at the Cardiff City Stadium, Leicester were able to put the tragedy to one side.
Demarai Gray’s winner midway through the second half was finished on the half-volley from 10 yards after a neat delivery from Ben Chilwell down the left.
Gray, 22, who was booked for removing his jersey to reveal a shirt bearing the message ‘For Khun Vichai’, said afterwards: “I’m quite a spiritual, religious guy and I will always keep the shirt. In every single game from now on, Vichai will be in our minds.” (© Daily Telegraph, London)