Jamie Vardy Apologises for Racial Slur at Casino Captured on Video

Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has apologised after he was caught on camera using racial slurs in a casino.

As noted by James Beal and Tom Morgan of the Sun, the England international was captured on film using the word “Jap” three times in reference to a fellow gambler of East Asian descent. At one stage, the 28-year-old can also be heard saying, “Yo, Jap. Walk on” after an argument broke out during a game of high stakes poker.

On Aug. 13, Leicester announced they were hitting the striker with a "substantial fine" and "prescribed a program of diversity awareness."

Vardy has issued the following statement in response to the footage, per Ben Findon of the Daily Telegraph: “I wholeheartedly apologise for any offence I've caused. 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.”

Leicester issued an accompanying statement, per Findon’s piece:

"We expect the highest standards from our players on and off the pitch and for them to set an example as role models in our community. 

"We have noted Jamie's apology and will begin a process of investigation into the incident imminently. There will be no further comment until this process has concluded."

Vardy also apologised to teammate Shinji Okazaki, who is of Japanese descent, per Rob Dorsett of Sky Sports News. 

As noted by Beal and Morgan's piece, a witness accused Vardy of acting like "an absolute animal" and "a football thug."

Although the Foxes began the campaign with an emphatic 4-2 win over Sunderland, the buildup to the season has been far from seamless. As noted by Nick Ames of the Guardian, the club sacked three players earlier this summer, including the son of former manager Nigel Pearson, after footage emerged of a racist orgy during a tour in Thailand.

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Vardy scored on the opening day for Leicester and is looking to build on a solid debut season in the Premier League. The former Fleetwood Town man was rewarded for his industrious displays in 2014-15 with an England call-up, making his Three Lions debut in June during a goalless draw against the Republic of Ireland.