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Football

29th Oct 2018

Riyad Mahrez pays tribute to “special” Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha after scoring Wembley winner

Simon Lloyd

Riyad Mahrez paid tribute to Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha after scoring the winner for Manchester City over Tottenham on Monday night

Mahrez moved to City in the summer after spending over four years as a Leicester player, playing a part in their miraculous Premier League title win in 2016.

Following Srivaddhanaprabha’s death at the weekend, Mahrez was seen pointing to the sky after scoring the only goal at Wembley. Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, the Algerian confirmed the gesture was for his former chairman.

“To be honest, it’s been very, very difficult for me,” Mahrez told Sky’s Geoff Shreeves.

“The boss was very special to me. I spent four and a half  years there and I have many memories with him.

“He was such a good person, such a good human.

“I’m very, very, very sad and that’s why when I scored I put my hands up in the sky for him because he did a lot for me and for Leicester.

“It’s difficult to speak about it because it’s very sad.”

Earlier in the day, many of Mahrez’s former Leicester teammates were present at the King Power to pay their condolences and watch members of Srivaddhanaprabha’s family lay wreaths.