To say Leicester City has had a tough week would be a massive understatement. Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was one of five people to die in a helicopter crash after the Foxes’ 1-1 draw with West Ham on Saturday.
The club’s midweek Carabao Cup match against Southampton was postponed. But the players, coaches and fans had to return to business on Saturday with a trip to Cardiff, Wales, in the Premier League.
Before the match, entirety of Cardiff City Stadium joined together to honor Srivaddhanaprabha and the other four victims of the crash. It was emotional, and you could see it in the faces of the Leicester players and fans.
Forever in our hearts. pic.twitter.com/OXBAE1GBZA
— Leicester City (@LCFC) November 3, 2018
Stadiums across the Premier League took time to honor the victims of the crash, but it was most poignant in Wales, where the Cardiff supporters also joined in on honoring the Leicester owner, with Thai flags throughout the stadium.
Leicester fans honored Srivaddhanaprabha throughout the match.
“Champions of England, you made us sing that.”
Leicester City’s fans sing in honour of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha0-0 in Cardiff with 22 minutes played. #CarLei pic.twitter.com/Oe9wCKeRRm
— Leicester City (@LCFC) November 3, 2018
Things only got tougher for the Foxes in the first half when Harry Maguire, who recently found out he wouldn’t be on the £50 note in England, had to be taken off with an injury in the 27th minute, depriving Leicester City of its best defender.
And Leicester should’ve been given a penalty kick (perhaps with a red card to Cardiff) in the first half, only for the referee (and the dumb lack of VAR) to completely miss the call.
But the 2016 Premier League champions persevered.
Less than 10 minutes into the second half, Demarai Gray gave Leicester City the lead with a clinical finish.
GOAL @LCFC! Just look at what it means to the players and supporters alike. pic.twitter.com/GrBb7iBjZT
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) November 3, 2018
Gray immediately took his shirt off to reveal an undershirt honoring Srivaddhanaprabha. It was probably the happiest he’s ever been to receive a yellow card.
Leicester City held on to win 1-0, another step in what will be a long healing process for the club’s players, coaches and fans.
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