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London, United Kingdom | AFP | United in sorrow following the death of owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, grief-stricken Leicester will make an emotional return to action at Cardiff on Saturday.
Thai billionaire Vichai was among five people killed when his helicopter crashed outside Leicester’s King Power Stadium following last Saturday’s match against West Ham.
The tragedy rocked the football world, with Leicester’s stunned players joining mourners who turned the King Power into a shrine with flowers and tributes to the charismatic Vichai.
With his vast investment and boundless enthusiasm, Vichai was the inspiration for Leicester’s incredible Premier League title triumph as 5,000-1 outsiders in 2016.
While results on the pitch pale in comparison to the trauma of Vichai’s death, Claude Puel’s side will play this weekend for the first time since the crash.
Tuesday’s League Cup home game against Southampton came too soon for Leicester, who postponed the tie to allow more time for the city to come to terms with the accident.
Tributes to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha ✍? pic.twitter.com/nntF2J1B2U
— Leicester City (@LCFC) October 30, 2018
But they have agreed to play the Premier League fixture in south Wales in a bid to start the healing process.
A minute’s silence will be observed before kick-off at the Cardiff City Stadium and players will wear black armbands in Vichai’s honour.
“Playing football has not been on our minds this last week but for this weekend and all matches after we will play to honour and remember a man who did so much for our club,” Puel said.
“The result is not important, but our desire to give our best to honour our chairman, that is the most important thing.”
As the shrine to Vichai grew bigger by the day, thousands of fans were joined throughout the week by former boss Claudio Ranieri, who led Leicester to their Premier League crown, as well as members of Vichai’s family and the club’s players.
“I would like to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for this overwhelming support.”
— Leicester City (@LCFC) October 31, 2018
Leicester stars Kasper Schmeichel and Jamie Vardy were visibly upset when Vichai’s devastated son Aiyawatt, the Leicester vice-chairman, made his way round the team to shake hands and receive hugs of condolence.
Reflecting the sense of shock around a city that benefitted from Vichai’s charitable donations as well as his commitment to the football team, Cliff Ginnetta, chairman of Leicester Supporters’ Club, said: “This has shaken everyone to the core. He was the boss, he was part of the fabric.
