Leicester’s Jamie Vardy reveals the cheeky reason he blew the referee’s whistle after going viral in his side’s 2-0 win over Southampton.
As can be seen in the video below, referee David Webb was accidentally shoulder barged by Jordan Ayew and fell to the ground.
Jamie Vardy briefly took charge by blowing the referee’s whistle to stop a Southampton attack. Webb, unable to continue, was replaced by the fourth official but walked off unaided.
Vardy scored the opening goal, making it his 199th for Leicester, with three games left before his contract expires after 13 years with the club to reach a 500th appearance for the Foxes.
Just Jamie Vardy things 😂 pic.twitter.com/xaCj4fiQ27
— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 3, 2025
With the referee down, Jamie Vardy had to take matters into his own hands! ✋#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/j0iupHj3nS
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) May 3, 2025
Leicester goalscorer Jamie Vardy, speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “The main thing is breaking a cycle. Not scoring at home for a while and we know we needed to get that done especially with the situation we are in and hopefully we can improve and take that momentum into next season. That’s all we can do.
“It’s tough. It’s not like we have not given our all. It hasn’t clicked, it’s been one of the seasons. The gap being promoted to the Prem now is probably the biggest it has ever been so it’s even more difficult.”
On playing for Leicester for 13 years: “It’s been everything. You saw what I put out there. It’s been mine and my family’s life for 13 years. We’ve been taken in for by the fans and the whole city and it has meant every single thing to me personally. Hopefully with those numbers, that’s me repaying them.
“When it’s been your life for that long and you see the comradery with the fans and my team-mates for the last 13 years, it’s been unbelievable.”
On being thought of as Leicester’s best player: “There have been a lot of unbelievable players for this club so to be mentioned like that is a really nice feeling. There’s still a few more games where hopefully there can be a few more numbers added.”
On blowing the referee’s whistle: “I saw Southampton breaking down the left and with the ref down I thought I’ll blow his whistle to stop the game.”
On his future: “I couldn’t tell you at this moment in time. I am enjoying my football and I need a nice break to mentally, especially, and physically fully refresh and then we’ll see where that goes.”
An all timer. Vardy blows his whistle for him, while being serenaded by ‘you’re not fit to referee’ 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/QfE4utaG0q
— Jacob (@LCFCJacob) May 3, 2025
Vardy, who announced he would leave the club last week, said he “couldn’t tell” what his future has in store.
“I am enjoying my football and I need a nice break to mentally, especially, and physically fully refresh and then we’ll see where that goes.
“There’s still a few more games where hopefully there can be a few more numbers added.”
Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy speaking to BBC Match of the Day: “It feels great to win and be back to winning ways. It was a long time, especially a home win. We wanted to end this cycle and end the season with some positivity. If there was one player to break this cycle, it had to be Jamie [Vardy]. Goal number 199. Very important for him and the team to get us in front.
On Vardy: “He’s lethal. We know with this home cycle without a win, it has been difficult especially with a striker like him in the team. We knew we were creating and now the two [goals] went in and that gave us a big lift.
“Everything comes to an end and for him it is clear he wants to move on. He wants to close this in the best way possible and that’s what we have to respect. The most important thing is to look back at his career here, at his games, his goals at the trophies that he wants. The crowd start realising it is the farewell tour of Jamie. With Forest and Ipswich to come for him to hopefully score his 200th goal.”
On young talent in squad: “It’s shaping the future what we’re working on. That’s what you saw today. Homegrown players who take responsibility for this club. It’s exciting.”
On checking if the referee is OK: “If you hit Jordan Ayew, it’s like hitting a brick wall. I think Jamie blew his whistle as well. I hope he’s OK.”
Leicester defender Conor Coady said the Foxes would make the remaining three games of the season all about Vardy, who he said was a “pleasure to call a team-mate”.
“The next few games are about him, I’m not going to beat around the bush,” Coady said.
“He’s Leicester’s best ever player so we need to make sure the last couple of games are about him.”
Twitter users reacted as Leicester’s Jamie Vardy reveals the cheeky reason he blew the injured referee’s whistle…
@samburton3: My god I’m gonna miss him!
@biuemudryk: I mean he did the right thing. blew the whistle to stop play for the injury. confused how he got injured though
@beth__w__: I actually love him hahahahahahha
@LynnFOI: Classic Vardy, how we will miss him.
@SaintRobinho86: So Vardy decided to referee the game when it’s not his place to do so & @GaryLineker thinks it’s completely fine? Thank god we only have a couple of weeks left of this tax dodging prick presenting #MOTD #SaintsFC
@MadridstaJB: Couldn’t leave the PL without a banger
@DaveBest07: The ref should book himself for diving
@JsLcfc17: This game is gold. Ayew knocked the ref down by accident and Vardy takes and blows his whistle to stop the game 😭 “You’re not fit to referee” #lcfc #saintsfc
@TheDcMassive: Top tier shithousery 👏👏
@hypersoccerdad: So when Jamie Vardy blows the referee’s whistle to force a stoppage in play, he is considered a hero. When I play blow a whistle to force e stoppage in play when the opponent is on a clear breakaway I get a red card. Doesn’t seem fair to me.
@Jmozz15: going to miss Vardy next season
@LCFC_Austin: There will never be another player like him
@ReecePollock7: Unreal stuff from the 🐐
@wisconick99: Hang it in the National Gallery.
@XtraLeicester Not something you see in the premier league every week.. Jamie Vardy 😭 Hit by Ayew, referee M. Webb collapses and Vardy rushes to blow his whistle in his place. Ayew cleaned him out 🤕
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