University pays tribute following Leicester City Football Club tragedy
Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, receiving his honorary degree in January 2016
Staff and students at the University of Leicester are in shock following the tragic incident at the King Power Stadium on Saturday evening, which claimed the lives of 5 people.
King Power Group founder and Chairman of Leicester City Football Club, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha delivered the most remarkable story in Premier League history, with his family leading a footballing fairytale to win the title and give the people of Leicester the experience of a lifetime.
In 2016, Mr Srivaddhanaprabha’s leadership, business success and his key role in the transformation of Leicester City Football Club into Premier League champions was honoured with the award of an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University.
The Leicester chairman and his family have always endeared themselves to the people of Leicester with a number of kind gestures and donations.
Just last year, Mr Srivaddhanaprabha and Leicester City Football Club pledged £1 million to support our efforts to treat and research life-threatening illnesses. His lifetime commitment to support the local community being used to help transform the healthcare of children in Leicestershire.
Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with all those that lost their lives, the Srivaddhanaprabha family, Leicester City Football Club and everyone affected by the incident.
President And Vice-Chancellor, Professor Paul Boyle said: "Everyone at the University of Leicester is shocked and saddened by this terrible news. Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and his family have done so much for the city. We will be forever grateful to him and Leicester City Football Club for their overwhelming support to improve health care in Leicestershire. Our thoughts and condolences are with everyone affected at this difficult time.”
We will honour Vichai and the four other victims with a minute's silence and then a minute’s applause outside Fielding Johnson Building at 11.00am on Tuesday, 30 October. Please join us from 10.45am.
A book of condolence will be opened at King Power Stadium from 8.00am tomorrow for anyone wishing to pay their respects. An online book of condolence will be made available via the Leicester City Football Club website in due course.