Angry Vardy slams relegated Leicester’s ‘miserable’ season

LONDON: Jamie Vardy on Monday criticised himself and his fellow Leicester City players following their relegation from the Premier League, saying his own performance in the campaign had been an “embarrassment”.

A 1-0 home defeat by runaway Premier League leaders Liverpool condemned 19th-placed Leicester to relegation on Sunday, after just one season back in the top flight.

Leicester, who won the Premier League title against all odds in 2016, are in the midst of a dismal run, losing their past nine home league games in a row without scoring – an English record.

Former England international Vardy, Leicester’s goalscoring hero in their 2016 title run and a Premier League Golden Boot winner in 2019-20, also failed to impress, scoring just seven league goals in 31 appearances this season.

“At this point, I don’t even know what to say. No words I have can ever express my feelings of anger and sadness with the way this season has gone,” the 38-year-old said in a statement on social media.

“There are no excuses. Collectively, as players and as a club, we failed. There is simply no hiding, and I refuse to entertain any suggestion of doing so.

“Having been at this club for so long, we’ve experienced so many highs and successes — and this season has been nothing but miserable and for me personally, a total embarrassment. It hurts, and I know you’re feeling it too. To the fans: I’m sorry…”

Morocco’s Berkane stake strong claim for final spot

Leicester, 19th in the standings with 18 points from 33 games, next travel to face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Separately, Barcelona defender Mapi Leon has been handed a two-match ban by Liga F for inappropriately touching Espanyol defender Daniela Caracas during the Catalan derby in February, the BBC reported on Wednesday (April 18).

Leon was accused of “violating Caracas’ intimacy” on Feb 10 after appearing to inappropriately touch the Espanyol defender in the groin area while saying something to her as they lined up inside the box for a set piece, a mere 15 minutes after kickoff.

Espanyol expressed their “total discontent and condemnation” of Leon’s actions and backed the Colombian defender.