LEICESTER CITY STRIKER Jamie Vardy has issued an apology after a British newspaper published a video showing him using a racially insensitive word.
The video, reportedly filmed at a casino last month and posted on the website of The Sun on Sunday, showed Vardy abusively shouting the word ‘Jap’, which the newspaper said was directed at an east Asian man.
“I wholeheartedly apologise for any offence I’ve caused,” Vardy, 28, said in a statement.
“It was a regrettable error in judgement which I take full responsibility for and I accept my behaviour was not up to what’s expected of me.”
Leicester, who are owned by the Thai Srivaddhanaprabha family, said that they would launch an investigation into the incident.
“We expect the highest standards from our players on and off the pitch and for them to set an example as role models in our community,” the club said in a statement.
We have noted Jamie’s apology and will begin a process of investigation into the incident imminently. There will be no further comment until this process has concluded.”
The footage emerged a matter of weeks after Leicester sacked three players — including James Pearson, son of former manager Nigel — for appearing in a sexually explicit video filmed on the club’s close-season tour of Thailand that featured racist language.
Vardy opened the scoring for Leicester as they began the Premier League season with a 4-2 win at home to Sunderland on Saturday.
A £1 million ($1.5 million, 2.1 million euros) signing from non-league Fleetwood Town in 2012, Vardy scored five goals last season and made his England debut in a 0-0 friendly draw with the Republic of Ireland in Dublin in May.
