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Leicester City Fan Banned After Invading Pitch To Hug Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha's Son

Leicester City Fan Banned After Invading Pitch To Hug Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha's Son

Leicester City supporters are outraged after a fan has been banned from the King Power Stadium for three months.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

A Leicester City fan has been banned from the King Power Stadium after he climbed a barrier to hug Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha's son.

The incident took place last weekend after the Foxes' match against Burnley, with Tom Merry receiving a three-month ban from the King Power as a result.

Speaking to Leicestershire Live, the season ticket holder explained why he rushed out to embrace Khun Aiyawatt on the pitch.

"I couldn't help myself, I just wanted to give Top a cuddle," he said.

"I was just overcome with emotion.

"Vichai has done so much for this club and when I saw Top crying as he walked round the ground, I just thought it was right to give him a cuddle.

"Top gave me a cuddle back and told me he appreciated it.

PA

"He said he loved me and all of the Leicester fans who had supported him at this time."

The club sent Merry a letter after the incident to say that a ban had been enforced against him.

"At the Leicester City v Burnley game on Saturday 10th November at the conclusion of the game when the players and owners were walking around the pitch on a lap of honour for the chairman you jumped over the advertising boards from the running track and entered the playing area," wrote Ian Coulton, the head of security at Leicester City (via Leicestershire Live).

"You were detained by stewarding staff and ejected from the ground.

PA

"I am therefore banning you from the King Power Stadium for Breach of Ground Regulations.

"The ban is effective from today and prevents you from attending any Leicester City home games at the King Power Stadium until the Leicester City vs Southampton game scheduled for the 12th January 2019."

PA

The 61-year-old Thai businessman was leaving the stadium after Leicester's 1-1 draw to West Ham United in a private helicopter when it crashed in the King Power's car park.

Two members of his staff -- Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare -- pilot Eric Swaffer and passenger Izabela Roza Lechowicz also died in the crash.

The club has since confirmed that a memorial statue of their former owner would be built outside of the King Power in his memory.

Should Leicester overturn the ban?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: PA/Leicestershire Live

Topics: Football News, Leicester City, Football