Javi Gracia has paid tribute to the victims of the helicopter crash which resulted in the death of Leicester City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

The Thai businessman was one of five people to die as a result of the accident outside the Foxes’ King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Premier League clubs will conduct a minute’s silence before matches this weekend and Gracia was quick to offer his condolences.

The Watford boss said: “It was a tragedy because you hope something like this will never happen. In this moment, all our thoughts are with the families of those who died.

“All we can do is play our best, play our game and give applauds to them.”

Srivaddhanaprabha was a key figure in helping Leicester gain promotion to the Premier League before they stunned the footballing world to win the Premier League in 2016.

City’s title triumph is one which Gracia remembers well and hailed as a huge achievement for the club and Srivaddhanaprabha.

He said: “It was something amazing because it was unexpected. To compete with very big clubs, very big squads was amazing and they were able to become champion.”