Leicester fans launch petition in support of season-ticket holder who was banned for hugging grieving Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s son after Burnley game
Tom Merry, a season ticket holder, leapt over a barrier and entered the track to console the club’s vice-chairman 'Top'
LEICESTER fans have launched a petition in support of the fan who was banned for running onto the pitch to hug Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s son.
Foxes fan Tom Merry, a season ticket holder, leapt over a barrier and entered the track to console the club’s vice-chairman ‘Top' following his father's death.
However security staff swiftly moved in and marched the fan to a holding cell, before the club wrote to inform him he had been banned from attending the stadium for three months.
Now a petition has been launched after many Foxes supporters reacted with disbelief over the harsh penalty.
So far 794 people have signed it, with the aim to get 1,000 signatures.
It was a highly charged conclusion to an emotional day of tributes which had been carefully choreographed by the club and had included a five-minute video montage of the late owners’ achievements.
Feelings were still raw when self-employed carpenter and joiner Tom, of Newfoundpool, Leicester left his daughter Honey, nine, with friends in the family stand to share a hug with Top, who shared his embrace.
One Leicester fan, Rob, posted on Twitter: "If this is correct it’s outrageous a fan who wanted to comfort A grieving son I’m sure the whole ground wanted to do the same.
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David Ntandy simply wrote that the punishment was a "crazy decision".
Another Foxes follower posted: "Tell you what, this is a bit harsh.
"Leicester fan banned from KP for running on pitch to embrace the vice chairman over the death of his father.
"No leniency, he meant well you c***s."
Video footage captured Tom vaulting the barrier and approaching Top before a bodyguard raced to protect his boss.
However the grieving Leicester vice-chairman responds warmly and even patted the fan on the head.
In a letter sent to Tom's home, Ian Coulton, the club’s head of security wrote: “You were detained by stewarding staff and ejected from the ground.
“I am therefore banning you from the King Power Stadium for Breach of Ground Regulations.”
The ban is effective until the home game against Southampton on January 12 and has divided opinions among other Foxes fans.