Playing through the pain: how Leicester City beat Cardiff City

Following Leicester City’s emotive victory at Cardiff City on Saturday, Claude Puel explained to the media how his team and staff managed to focus after the club’s horrendous week:

A dark week ending with an illumination of love

A usual seven days as a Leicester City supporter can leave one’s feelings and emotions swiftly fluctuating. Up and down on the Foxes rollercoaster, as some have said. Yet, none of us have been so devastated by a disaster at our beloved club, like the dreadful circumstances of owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

On Saturday October 27, Khun Vichai’s helicopter, tragically and shockingly, plummeted to the ground, just after take-off from Leicester City’s King Power Stadium. Regretably, four others also died in the crash. Air accident Investigators are working to discover the cause of the accident.

In the aftermath of the catastrophe, goalkeeper and team leader Kasper Schmeichel reportedly ran to the scene in attempts to help the victims – only to be stopped by police. This according to Sky Sports‘ Rob Dorsett. An action by the Dane, which reinforces the week’s outpouring of love and devastation for the late King Power chief, from those who knew him.

Any person with Schmeichel’s strong character would surely, bravely attend any disastrous scene to help those in need, if in attendance. However, the extent of respect, as well as bond, between players and chair is horrifically personified there; and has rarely been witnessed in sport, quite as this. Footballing dreams were fulfilled for the Leicester City side in 2016; Khun Vichai was the most important aspect in that success – building a club capable of winning the Premier League.

In addition, ‘the boss’ had a – now everlasting – affinity with his team. They were friends first: Srivaddhanaprabha is described as congenial, happy and a gentleman by all at the club. A fatherly admiration bestowed upon the Thai leader.