Leicester City's Thai chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha watches during the UEFA Champions League group G football match between Leicester City and Club Brugge at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, central England on November 22, 2016. - A helicopter belonging to Thai tycoon Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha crashed on October 27, 2018 near the stadium of his UK football club Leicester City. The identities of the pilot and any passengers on board have not yet been confirmed. It is also not yet known if anyone on the ground was injured. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)
Mamelodi Sundowns have sent condolences to English Premiership side Leicester following the passing of chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
The Thai billionaire died when his helicopter crashed near King Power Stadium on Saturday.
His helicopter took off from the pitch after the stadium emptied following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with West Ham, but crashed moments later in the car park.
Five people died in the crash, including also two members of Vichai’s staff, Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare, pilot Eric Swaffer and the pilot’s girlfriend, Izabela Roza Lechowicz, who was also a pilot.
A statement on the Sundowns official Twitter account read: “We are deeply saddened by the news that Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the Leicester Football chairman, sadly died in the horrific helicopter crash at the King Power Stadium. Also, we send our condolences to the other people who lost their lives in the accident.”
Vichai bought Leicester City in 2010 and became chairman the following February, pouring millions into the team and becoming a beloved figure in the club and the city.
It was under his ownership that Leicester crafted one of the biggest fairy tales in English football history by winning the 2015/16 Premier League, having started the season as 5,000-1 outsiders for the title.
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