Czech Antonin Panenka, who was known for his unusual technique in taking the penalty kick against Germany in the 1976 European Championship, and followed in his footsteps by many players, is in the hospital's intensive care unit, his former club announced on Wednesday.
Panenka led the former Czechoslovakia to its only international title after scoring the decisive penalty in the net of German goalkeeper Sepp Mayer in the final.
The shot is now known as Panenka, and it depends on a poorly dropped ball in the middle of the goal as the goalkeeper will head hard to the right or to the left.
"Antonin Panenka has been transferred to the intensive care unit today in critical condition ... We will not comment further on his condition," the Bohemians Club wrote on Twitter.
The Czech club later added that the 71-year-old Panenka tested positive for Corona virus.
Most of the current and former stars of the world took penalties in the manner of Panenka, and most of the time the guards were unable to deal with this method.