Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove collapsed on the pitch during his side’s Serie A match against Inter Milan on Sunday.
Bove’s teammates frantically called for medical help and surrounded the 22-year-old before medics treated him and then swiftly stretchered him off to a nearby ambulance to the side of the pitch.
The incident occurred during the 16th minute with the match temporarily suspended at 0-0 and later abandoned with plans to reschedule the contest later in the season.
Fiorentina confirmed Bove was taken to the Careggi hospital near the Stadio Artemio Franchi, home to Fiorentina after “a loss of consciousness” on the pitch.
A statement from the Tuscan club read: “Bove is currently under sedation and is hospitalised in intensive care.
“The Viola player arrived at the emergency department in stable haemodynamic conditions and initial cardiological and neurological tests have ruled out acute damage to the central nervous system and the cardio-respiratory system. Bove will be re-evaluated in the next 24 hrs.”
In the minutes that followed Bove’s collapse, his teammates and opponents were visibly shocked and emotional, with some seen in tears.
The incident comes after Roma defender Evan Ndicka collapsed with a hand on his chest back in April.
Italian football also experienced the tragic passing of Piermario Morosini, who died after suffering cardiac arrest during a Serie B match 12 years ago.
After the game’s postponement, Inter and Fiorentina end the weekend third and fourth in the Serie A table, four points behind leaders Napoli.
Bove has starred for the Viola since joining on loan last summer from Roma and scored his first goal for the club in October in a 5-1 victory over his parent club.
Fiorentina paid €1.5m to loan Bove in the summer and hold an option to make the move permanent for an additional €10.5m.
