Welsh legend Charles passes away

The former Leeds United AFC, Juventus FC and Wales striker John Charles has died at the age of 72.

Fell ill
Charles had been flown home to Leeds after falling ill during a trip to Italy last month. The popular Welshman was due to have appeared as a guest on La Domenica Sportiva, a sports show on Italian television, but was instead taken to Milan's San Carlo hospital.

Circulation problems
Dr Piergiorgio Settembrini repaired an aortic aneurysm in Charles's heart and he later had a second operation and part of his foot amputated due to serious blood circulation problems.

Three championships
Charles won the Scudetto three times with Juventus, scoring 93 goals in 155 appearances after joining them in 1957 from Leeds for what was then a world-record fee of €96,000. Born in Cwmdu near Swansea in south Wales, he won 38 caps for his country and played in the 1958 FIFA World Cup finals in Sweden.

Gentle giant
Charles was awarded an OBE in 2001 and also played for AS Roma and Cardiff City FC. Never booked or sent off during his time in Italy, the Welsh international was nicknamed the 'Gentle giant'.

'Perfect ambassador'
"John was without question the greatest footballer produced from Wales," said Football Association of Wales general secretary David Collins. "His all-round ability in the air and on the ground made him equally at home as a centre-half and centre-forward. Indeed, he could play in any position. He was the perfect ambassador for Wales and the great game that is football."