Juventus legend Charles has foot amputated

[Salem6]

Former Wales and Juventus striker John Charles has had his right foot amputated due to serious blood circulation problems.

Charles, 72, who underwent an emergency heart operation on January 6, was operated on at Milan's San Carlo hospital. Italian papers report that the operation took place on Monday and say that Charles' condition was "unstable". Staff at San Carlo hospital were unable to comment.

A British Sunday newspaper says Charles was expected to be flown to a hospital near his home in Yorkshire this week.

Charles, who won three Italian titles with Juve after making his name with Leeds United, fell ill before a scheduled appearance on Italian TV programme 'Sports Sunday' on January 4.

The Welshman, dubbed the 'Gentle Giant' by Italian fans, spent five seasons at Juventus after arriving in 1957, scoring 93 goals in 155 league appearances. Charles, who was born in Cwmdu near Swansea in south Wales, won 38 caps for his country and played for them in the 1958 World Cup finals in Sweden.

Filed by Mark O'Neill-Cummins


www.rte.ie/sport/2004/0208/charlesj.html

[Salem6]

Feb 9 2004







Former Wales and Leeds striker John Charles will return home later this week after more than one month recovering from vascular surgery in a hospital in Milan.

Charles will be transferred to a hospital in Dewsbury in midweek to continue treatment following last month's emergency abdominal aortic aneurysm operation.

"On Wednesday or Thursday the patient will be transferred to a hospital in Dewsbury following his wife's request to take him home," said Doctor Piergiorgio Settembrini, head of vascular surgery at the San Carlo hospital in Milan told PA International.

The 72-year-old was admitted to hospital in January after feeling unwell prior to a guest appearance on Italian television programme Domenica Sportiva.

The former Juventus star suffered another health set back last Monday as he had to undergo further surgery following an aortic embolism.

"The patient suffered an embolism, which had a serious effect on his right foot and thus needed the amputation of all his toes. His left foot only suffered minor damage," added Settembrini, who has been treating the "Gentle Giant" in Italy.

Despite the severity of Charles' condition, Settembrini is optimistic the former Leeds player will recover.

" Despite his age he does have a solid chance of recovery but at the moment he is not in a brilliant state. He has no appetite but he is responsive and as lucid as he can be considering his Alzheimer's condition," he added.

According to Settembrini, Charles' battle is by no means over as will need to stay in hospital for some time.

"His recovery will be time consuming and he will probably need to spend several months in hospital," he continued.

"It will all depend on the treatment he receives in England. He will also need to start a lengthy rehabilitation after undergoing the amputation of his toes."


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