Leicester have fired three players, including the son of manager Nigel Pearson, after they appeared in a sexually explicit video where they were seen racially abusing a Thai woman, the Premier League club announced on Wednesday.
James Pearson, the son of Foxes boss Nigel Pearson, Tom Hopper and Adam Smith, appeared in a leaked video from the club’s end-of-season ‘goodwill tour’ of Thailand, during which several crude remarks were made, including one of two Thai women being called a “slit-eye.”
Following an internal investigation, Leicester — whose owners are the Thai father and son businessmen Vichai and Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha — have terminated the three players’ contracts.
“Leicester City Football Club has notified Tom Hopper, Adam Smith and James Pearson that their contracts with the club have been terminated,” a club statement said.
“The decision follows the conclusion of an internal investigation and disciplinary proceedings, as a consequence of events that took place during the club’s end-of-season goodwill tour of Thailand,” it said. “Leicester City Football Club is acutely aware of its position, and that of its players, as a representative of the city of Leicester, the Premier League, the Football Association and the club’s supporters. It is committed to promoting a positive message of community and family values and equality, and to upholding the standards expected of a club with its history, tradition and aspirations.”
“The club will make no further comment on the investigation, its finding or outcomes,” the statement concluded.
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