Leicester City launch investigation into Thailand video as three players sent home

Leicester City have launched an internal investigation after three of the club's players, who have since been ordered home, were allegedly filmed in an incident with a Thai woman who was racially abused.

The explicit video of Thai women in a hotel room was reportedly filmed while the players were touring the country celebrating Leicester avoiding relegation from the Premier League.

The video, obtained by the Sunday Mirror, allegedly shows defender James Pearson, 22, the son of the club's manager Nigel, filmed naked in a hotel room.

It also alleged that Pearson was joined by 21-year-old striker Tom Hopper and goalkeeper Adam Smith, 22, who appear to be shown lying naked in a bed laughing as the sexually explicit video is filmed.

One of the players also appears to make a racist slur towards one of the women in the video.

Leicester City, who are owned by Thai billionaires, issued a statement on Sunday afternoon, which was later updated with an apology from the players concerned, who are returning home.

Leicester City remains wholly committed to promoting equality in football and in wider society and to our players recognising their responsibilities as role models to young people.

It read: "The board of Leicester City Football Club is deeply concerned about an incident involving three of our young professionals during a recent trip to Thailand. Our players at every level are expected to behave as representatives and ambassadors for our football club, both on official club duty and in their personal lives, so we treat their conduct extremely seriously.

“Following a preliminary meeting in consultation with the three players earlier today, the players involved in the incident are now returning to the UK, in advance of the rest of the squad.

"Tom Hopper, James Pearson and Adam Smith would like to convey their sincere apologies for their behaviour – to the women involved in the incident, to the club and its owners, to the club’s fans and to their families.

“A formal process of investigation will be undertaken with the players in conjunction with their representatives and, as such, no further comment can be made at this stage. 

"Leicester City remains wholly committed to promoting equality in football and in wider society and to our players recognising their responsibilities as role models to young people.”

A Kick It Out spokesman said: "We are aware of the allegations and have contacted Leicester City Football Club. We will await their response before commenting further."

I hear Nigel Pearson takes a strong stance against discrimination. It's a shame he hasn't passed the message on to his players and even more of a shame his son doesn't get it.

Piara Powar, the executive director of the Football Against Racism in Europe, accused the stars of being "privileged young men" who were "exerting their power" over women and "demeaning them sexually and racially abusing them".

He added: "There is no point in pretending that videos like this aren't made and shared all the time, but the arrogance of doing it while on a goodwill trip to the country of your owners, the people paying your salaries, is mind blowing.

"The fact that they are Premier League footballers, and one of them is the manager's son, means that there is a responsibility to behave, like it or not.

"I hear Nigel Pearson takes a strong stance against discrimination. It's a shame he hasn't passed the message on to his players and even more of a shame his son doesn't get it."