I should have set curfew, says Leicester manager

'I am deeply concerned about the actions of a minority of my players'

The Leicester manager Micky Adams today confirmed he will be staying with the club which has been rocked by a sex assault scandal.

The club captain Paul Dickov, Keith Gillespie and Frank Sinclair, who are accused of attacking three women in a hotel at the La Manga resort during the club's training camp, have been remanded in custody since Friday.

Adams said: "It has been a difficult time for everyone connected with the football club over the past few days.

"Firstly, I would like to make it clear that I am continuing as manager of Leicester City. It would be true to say I have thought long and hard about my own situation as a result of recent events.

"However, I am determined to see the job through and do my very best for the club."

He added: "Without wishing to pre-judge the criminal investigations and our own club investigation, I am deeply concerned about the actions of a minority of my players. I have spoken to them on many occasions about the need to conduct themselves properly on and off the pitch at all times.

"I have held a staff meeting at the training ground this morning to tell them all what I expect of them. The board of directors of the club will be heading up a full internal investigation which has my full support.

"I would like to thank those fans who have pledged their support to myself personally and to the club in general. A great many people pulled together to save this club just over a year ago and, right now, all of those people have every right to feel let down.

"It is the responsibility of the players and myself to do everything possible to restore their pride in this football club once again."

Adams admitted he should have set a curfew for his players during the club's ill-fated trip to Spain.

He told a Walkers Stadium press conference that the three players in custody were "innocent of all charges until proved guilty".

Adams, who earlier revealed he had considered quitting as manager but had decided to battle on, said: "A minority of players let the club down but if they are guilty of anything it is of being unprofessional 24 hours before a training session - of being drunk to excess.

"If I am guilty of anything it's that I didn't put a curfew on the players.

"We know curfews can be broken. They (the players) know that they were there to train at a training camp."

Nikos Dabizas, Steffen Freund, Matt Elliott, James Scowcroft, Lilian Nalis and Danny Coyne were initially arrested along with Dickov, Gillespie and Sinclair but were subsequently released.

Adams added: "There has been a trial by media but hopefully the truth will be told.

"I know that some of the players who were charged were not there. I have witnesses to prove that. Nine people were arrested but some of them were not there.

"At the moment they (Dickov, Gillespie and Sinclair) have been accused of certain things but are guilty of nothing.

"If I feel let down it is that the trip was taken with the best interests of the players at heart to do some specific work.

"It has been a difficult time for me but I am not quitting. I owe it to the fans of Leicester City to see this through.

"I did consider it. The darkest day was when the three guys were charged and taken away and there was nothing I could for them. But I have never run away from anything in my life."

Asked if he had considered resigning, Adams said: "I felt I had a moral obligation to say to the board and the chairman that if they felt I wasn't the right man to take this club forward I would step down. Fortunately they said I was the right man for the job. That gives me strength."

He added: "I am not going to prejudge the players. All I am going to do is support them until there is a trial date set - if there is to be a trial.

"The last time I saw the players was on Friday. They were scared, horrified and concerned about their families.

"We always have a responsibility to the fans of Leicester to set the right example. We would like to be in the newspapers for all the right reasons. The images have not helped the situation."

Adams was asked if he will introduce a blanket drinking ban on his players.

He said: "I think everyone has seen that I treat players like adults. I can't be with these players 24 hours a day. I did not set a curfew but I told them of their responsibilities to behave.

"It is easy to say you can stop players drinking. What happens in the comfort of their own clubs? How can I stop them drinking? There are lessons to learn.

"What we need now is more togetherness, more strength on the pitch and we will try to prove the doubters and cynics wrong."