Jamie Vardy apologises after claims of racial slur in casino: 'A regrettable error in judgment'

Following a fixture in which he scored his club's first goal of the season and played a leading role, Jamie Vardy of Leicester City was hit with accusations of racial abuse stemming from video footage that emerged at a casino.

On Sunday, he apologised for reportedly telling a fellow gambler: "Yo Jap, walk on."

Leicester, meanwhile, has apparently promised a full investigation into the incident.

"I wholeheartedly apologise for any offence I've caused," Vardy said, according to The Telegraph. "It was a regrettable error in judgement I take full responsibility for and I accept my behaviour was not up to what's expected of me."

Vardy was allegedly under the impression that a middle-aged man behind him at the poker table was looking at his cards, resulting in the 28-year-old forward saying: "Jap. Yo Jap. Walk on ... oi, walk on. Yeah you ... Jap. Walk on." Police were reportedly not called to the casino.

The incident marks the second time in three months that Leicester has been involved in a racist row. Tom Hopper, Adam Smith, and James Pearson - the latter of which is the son of former and then-Leicester manager Nigel Pearson - had their contracts terminated after their involvement in a racist orgy during the club's trip to Thailand.