Leicester City confirmed on Sunday night that their Chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was among five people who died on Saturday in a helicopter crash near the King Power Stadium.
The victims of the crash including the chairman were Nursara Suknamai, Kaveporn Punpare, the pilot Eric Swaffer & his partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz.
After news spread quickly on Saturday that a crash occurred outside the Club’s grounds, many already speculated that Khun Vichai was on board the aircraft.
The Foxes confirmed the tragic outcome later the next day. Many sent their condolences over social media including former Leicester players Riyadh Mahrez and N’golo Kante, who won the Premier League with the club back in 2015/16.
Clubs from across the country shared their grief for the loss of the Leicester City owner on Twitter.
In a statement released by Leicester on Sunday night, words of praise were given to Vichai, who has created a legacy for the club since its purchase in 2010.
“In Khun Vichai, the world has lost a great man,” the statement read. “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.”
The Thai billionaire was no stranger to donating for charitable causes and stood out from typical club owners. He often paid for fans to travel to away games and gave free drinks when Leicester won the title.
Vichai was close to his players and members of staff, making sure that everything was okay and as a result of the Foxes’ title win, awarded a brand new car to each player.
The chairman also opened his heart to the people of Leicester, donating £2M to a local hospital for children.
A couple of Leicester’s games were postponed as a result of the incident over the weekend.
On Tuesday morning, supporters gathered with the Srivaddhanaprabha family at the King Power Stadium to share a book of condolence to pay respect to their hero.
Source of Image: LCFC
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