Broken-hearted Leicester have paid tribute to “a great man” following the death of billionaire owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in a helicopter crash close to the King Power Stadium.
The 60-year-old Thai businessman and four other people on board were killed when the aircraft fell from the sky and burst into flames at the south east end of the stadium shortly after Saturday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with West Ham.
Late on Sunday night, the Foxes confirmed that Srivaddhanaprabha, who bought the club for £39million in 2010 and guided it to an unlikely title triumph six years later, had died in the tragedy.
A statement said: “It is with the deepest regret and a collective broken heart that we confirm our chairman, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, was among those to have tragically lost their lives on Saturday evening when a helicopter carrying him and four other people crashed outside King Power Stadium. None of the five people on-board survived.
“The primary thoughts of everyone at the club are with the Srivaddhanaprabha family and the families of all those on-board at this time of unspeakable loss.
“In Khun Vichai, the world has lost a great man. 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. It is as a family that we will grieve his passing and maintain the pursuit of a vision for the Club that is now his legacy.
“A book of condolence, which will be shared with the Srivaddhanaprabha family, will be opened at King Power Stadium from 8am on Tuesday 30 October for supporters wishing to pay their respects.”
Leicester are also to create an online book of condolence on their official website for supporters unable to visit the stadium to leave tributes.
Tuesday’s Carabao Cup clash with Southampton and the development squad’s fixture against Feyenoord in the Premier League International Cup have been postponed.
The club added: “Everyone at the club has been truly touched by the remarkable response of the football family, whose thoughtful messages of support and solidarity have been deeply appreciated at this difficult time.”
