13 January 2024 , 11:30
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Coventry City have vowed to ban any supporter found to have been involved in banners mocking the death of former Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
The ex-Foxes chief was killed in a helicopter crash October 27 2018 in an accident that also saw pilot Eric Swaffer and his girlfriend, Izabela Lechowicz, as well as members of Khun Vichai’s staff, Kaveporn Punpare and Nusara Suknamai, all killed.
The two teams face off with each other on Saturday afternoon at the Coventry Building Society Arena and ahead of the highly anticipated clash, a number of offensive banners were seen on motorway bridges on the M69 referring to that tragic event nearly five-and-a-half years ago.
Coventry have since broken their silence on the situation to make clear that they are working with West Midlands Police to try and identify those responsible.
The Sky Blues also issued a club statement that read: “Coventry City completely condemns incidents today which has seen banners being displayed containing offensive content directed at Leicester City Football Club.
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“Coventry City will work with West Midlands Police to identify those who created and displayed these banners, and take appropriate action against them.
“Such behaviour has no place in football or society, and these people are not welcome at our football club and will be subject to bans."
Leicester also released a statement of their own, adding: "We note with disappointment the disrespectful actions of a minority of opposition supporters, mocking the tragic events that deeply affected our club and community.
Former Leicester chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha was killed in a helicopter crash in 2018"Such bahaviour stands in contrast to the values of respect and unity that football should embody.
"We are grateful to Coventry City FC and the wider community who stand with us in condemning these actions. We will work with all parties to support the identification and appropriate response to those involved."
From a football perspective, the game has plenty on offer for both sides. Should the Foxes get the better of their hosts, they will move an astonishing 13 points clear at the top of the Championship table. However, were Coventry to make home advantage tell, they would enter the play-off places.
This fixture has long been dubbed the 'M69 derby', previously the 'A46 derby', due to the motorway that connects the two cities together. Just 24 miles seperate Leicester and Coventry and there is certainly no love lost between the two sets of supporters.