Chelsea's first black footballer Paul Canoville is in the hospital after a 'serious decline in physical health'.
Canoville, 63, played for the blues between 1981 and 1986 and helped them to the Second Division title in 1983-84.
He drew racist abuse of elements of the team fan base and eventually became a club ambassador.
The former wing player, who said in his autobiography from 2008 that he had conceived 11 children through 10 different women, also had a 'significant toll' on his 'mental well-being'.
A statement from the CEO of his foundation was: 'It is with a heavy heart that I am an update about the health of our founder, Paul Canoville.
'Paul is currently in the hospital due to a serious decrease in his physical health, who has also taken a considerable toll from his mental well -being. If someone who has overcome extraordinary challenges all his life, Paul remains determined – but he now needs time, care and space to recover.
'His recent absence of school visits and, the most heartbreaking, show racism, the Red Card reception in Downing Street earlier this week, is deeply disturbing to him. We also want to prepare friends and supporters that Paul is very unlikely to attend the premiere of the new documentary about his life tomorrow night (Thursday) in Regent Street Cinema – something he had been looking forward to.
'Out of respect for his need to rest and cure, we kindly ask that people are not contacting Paul at the moment. All support support can be shared as comments about our social messages and we will ensure that Paul will ever see this well enough. '
Last year, Canoville offered to act as a mediator in the Racism Row of Enzo Fernandez and said he was open to help the club.
There was anger in the Chelsea team after Fernandez streamed a video on his Instagram that showed himself and other members of the Argentinian national team that an offensive song sang about France after their triumph of Copa America.
The 23-year-old apologized privately to his fellow players and has since been restored as one of their most important players.
In a statement from his foundation, Canoville said: 'There is no room for discrimination of any kind in our society, especially in the sport we all love.
'My personal experiences with racism and hatred are known, but I have always said that the way is ahead through education and understanding.
'Given my constant love and support for Chelsea Football Club and the involvement of one of our players in the incident, I have offered to help support any recovering process that could now take place.
“Through my foundation I want to help people by teaching the lens of my experiences before, during and after the abuse I received during football, including being able to offer forgiveness where it deserved.”
More to follow.