Millwall fans detained by police for sick helicopter taunt of Leicester owner

07 January 2024 , 10:43

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Millwall fans were caught on camera at The Den (Image: Twitter / @Lawlor423)

Two Millwall fans were detained by police after being ejected from The Den for allegedly making offensive gestures towards Leicester supporters.

Footage posted on social media appeared to show two men making hand gestures in the direction of the away fans during the FA Cup third-round tie on Saturday. They were seemingly mocking the death of former Leicester owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who died in a helicopter crash in 2018. A photograph posted nine minutes later on Twitter appeared to show the men being kicked out of the ground by security.

The Metropolitan Police confirmed to The Mirror that “two men were detained and ejected from the ground”. A spokesperson said: “They will each be summonsed for an offence under the Public Order Act. Enquiries are ongoing to locate a third man in connection with the incident.” Leicester City refused to comment when contacted by The Mirror, while Millwall are yet to respond.

Srivaddhanaprabha died alongside four other people when the helicopter he was travelling in crashed on October 27 2018. Pilot Eric Swaffer, his partner Izabela Lechowicz, ex-Thai beauty queen Nursara Suknamai and Srivaddhanaprabha’s employee Kaveporn Punpare all lost their lives in the tragic accident.

In November, Sunderland supporter Keelan Murray was banned from attending matches for three years after being found guilty of mocking the crash. The 20-year-old pleaded guilty to a Section 5 Public Order offence at Leicester Magistrates' Court and was ordered to pay a fine of £120.

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The Millwall fans were allegedly mocking the helicopter crash which killed Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha (Twitter / @Lawlor423)

They were kicked out of the stadium by security (Twitter / @Lawlor423)

"Anyone who engages in making offensive gestures or 'tragedy chanting' faces the risk of arrest if caught,” PC David Stevens of Leicestershire Police said. “Such behaviour has no place in football and we will continue to work with the club to identify those committing such offences."

Championship leaders Leicester beat Millwall 3-2 to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday. Cesare Casadei and Ricardo Pereira fired them into a two-goal before Duncan Watmore pulled a goal back for the home side. Tom Cannon then put Leicester 3-1 up before Zian Flemming set up a tense finale with an 86th-minute strike.

Felix Keith