This is very sad news that England and the world of football have just learned this Saturday afternoon. While the matches of the ninth day of the Premier League are still in progress this Saturday, the announcement of the death of Bobby Charlton has shaken this ambient calm on the other side of the Channel. Legend of Manchester United with whom he scored 249 goals in 758 matches, the former England striker died at 86, three years after his brother Jack Charlton, another great player of the national team.
Winner of the Champions League in 1968, 10 years after surviving the Munich crash which cost the lives of 21 passengers including 7 MU players, and three Premier League players, Sir Bobby Charlton was a football icon of his time. While he was one of the main elements of the Three Lions’ coronation at the 1966 World Cup, the Ashington native won the Ballon d’Or the same year. In a statement released this afternoon, his family gave more details about his death: “It is with great sadness that we share the news of Sir Bobby’s peaceful passing in the early hours of Saturday morning. He was surrounded by his family. His family would like to extend their thanks to all who contributed to his care and to the many people who loved and supported him. We ask that the family’s privacy be respected at this time.»
