(Reuters) - Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has written a message of support to the club’s LGBT fans group, Foxes Pride, on the rainbow corner flag he shattered while celebrating his winner against Sheffield United on Sunday.
After his 90th minute goal gave Leicester a 2-1 Premier League win at Bramall Lane, Vardy ran to the corner and slid into the flag, which was carrying the Pride flag colours in celebration of a ‘Rainbow Laces’ campaign.
The England striker managed to get the broken flag back in the ground but was shown a yellow card by referee Stuart Attwell.
After images of the goal celebration went viral, Leicester’s LGBT supporters group received a number of messages on Twitter saying Vardy’s actions were a negative response to the campaign.
However, on Tuesday the group posted an image on Twitter here showing the snapped corner flag carrying the message: 'FOXES PRIDE - keep up the good work!' along with Vardy's signature.
How it started. How it’s going. pic.twitter.com/D7GImCD4om
— Foxes Pride 🦊🏳️🌈 (@FoxesPride) December 8, 2020
“All at Foxes Pride have been saddened by LGBT-phobic comments online over the last few days after Vardy’s corner flag goal celebration,” the group tweeted.
“We are proud and grateful for the support that Vardy and Leicester City FC continue to show for Rainbow Laces, LGBT fans and Foxes Pride.”
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Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford