Leicester City terminates 3 players' contracts in wake of taped orgy

Leicester City F.C. terminated the contracts of three players Wednesday, the club announced in a statement, 18 days after a video that showed the players participating in a racially abusive orgy leaked to the press.

Leicester City F.C. terminated the contracts of three of its development squad players on Wednesday, the club announced in a statement, 18 days after a video that showed the players participating in a racially abusive orgy leaked to the press.

Adam Smith, Tom Hopper and James Pearson, the son of club manager Nigel Pearson, were all let go from the team.

The Sunday Mirror obtained in late May a video that showed the three players participating in an orgy with Thai women while the team was visiting Bangkok on a trip. The club's owners, Vichai and Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha, are from Thailand. 

A player can be heard leveling racially abusive insults at a Thai woman in the video. 

"Leicester City Football Club is acutely aware of its position, and that of its players, as a representative of the city of Leicester, the Premier League, the Football Association and the Club's supporters," the team said.

• Leicester City F.C. manager Nigel Pearson calls reporter 'an ostrich' in postgame rant

"It is committed to promoting a positive message of community and family values and equality, and to upholding the standards expected of a Club with its history, traditions and aspirations."

Nigel came under fire earlier this season when reports surfaced that he was being let go from the team after apparently choking a Crystal Palace player on the pitch. The team later said it did not fire Nigel, but did not address the allegations of choking. 

In November 2014, Nigel was fined 10,000 pounds after using abusive words toward one of the team's own fans. 

Leicester City avoided relegation in the English Premier League during the 2014-15 season, finishing in 14th place with an 11–8–19 record. 

- Will Green