England forward Jamie Vardy won't be sacked by Leicester despite slur

Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri insists Jamie Vardy will not be sacked as the club continues to carry out an investigation into a racial slur made by the player at a casino.

England forward Vardy, 28, has issued an apology for his behaviour, and Ranieri has indicated the club are satisfied with the situation.

And the Foxes boss is adamant there is no issue with Vardy and his Japan strike partner Shinji Okazaki, who have been training together this week.

Jamie has apologised to everybody, it was a mistake, and there is a good relationship between Shinji and Jamie, and for me everything is closed.

Ranieri said: “The situation is, I think the club has made a statement, everything is okay. Jamie has apologised to everybody, it was a mistake, and there is a good relationship between Shinji and Jamie, and for me everything is closed.

“It’s important in football the club knows everything and it’s okay, they apologise and we go forward.

“The club said it is okay. James apologised, and that for me is okay.”

Vardy is likely to play against West Ham at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday, unless Ranieri decides to spring a late surprise to his team following their impressive 4-2 victory over Sunderland on the opening day of the season.

And Ranieri, who earned the epithet of Tinker Man because of his squad rotation policy when he was manager of Chelsea, made light of the situation when asked if Vardy would be selected this weekend.

“I think so. If the Tinker Man changes it, maybe no, but if I change it something could happen,” Ranieri said.