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City gripped by football fever turns blue to mark big day in history

Xinhua, April 30, 2016 Adjust font size:

Football fever swept through Leicester Saturday on the eve of what could be one of the most important days in the city's history.

Schools, communities, businesses and the combined might of the local media have joined forces to turn the city blue as it faces a nail-biting finale to the 2015-16 English Premiership season.

People are dressed in blue, and one butchery has even produced limited edition blue sausages.

Public buildings across the city, including city hall, have been bathed in blue floodlights, with the whole city expected to hold its collective breath for 90 minutes on Sunday afternoon.

Students from across the world studying at the city's De Montfort University have demonstrated blue is the only color for the city, as they dressed in club jerseys during their lectures. A huge banner, overlooking a main ring road, is attached to one of the university buildings.

If Leicester beat Manchester United on Sunday the club will become league champions for the first time in the clubs history, opening the door to a lucrative appearance next season in the European Championship, one of the world's greatest football tournaments.

The city is gripped with football fever, with tickets for the club's final home game of the season already being offered on social media sites for around 22,000 U.S. dollars.

Local media reported how one couple this week have hailed Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri by calling their new baby Daniel George Claudio.

Jake Hill, 32, and and his wife Lindsay Hill described their son as Leicester's youngest fan.

In a pre-match comment posted on Leicester City's website, Ranieri said, "I understand the people want to continue to dream and enjoy but I am a pragmatic man and we need three points more... We are fighting to try to make this dream a reality, but not yet."

If Leicester, the Foxes as they are known by supporters, beat Manchester United, they will be declared champions as no other club can overtake them in the remaining few weeks of the season.

If Sunday's match ends in a draw, the nail-biting will continue to Monday when nearest rivals Spurs face Chelsea. The result of that game will decide whether Leicester can celebrate, or whether the wait will continue to the final hurdle. Leicester needs three points to guarantee victory. Endit