A Serie A match between Fiorentina and Inter Milan came to an abrupt halt when a player unexpectedly collapsed on the field during live play.
According to Daily Mail, Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove is currently under pharmacological sedation in intensive care after collapsing untouched during the 16th minute of Sunday's match at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
The 22-year-old Italian youth international received immediate medical attention on the pitch as players and staff formed a protective wall around him.
The severity of the situation became apparent when several players from both teams were seen crying during the harrowing incident, leading to the match's suspension and eventual abandonment.
Medical staff quickly assessed Bove's condition on the field before transferring him to the nearby Careggi hospital via ambulance. The first round of medical examinations has provided some reassuring news regarding his condition.
According to Fiorentina's official statement, preliminary cardiological and neurological tests have ruled out acute damage to both the central nervous system and cardio-respiratory system.
Inter Milan president Giuseppe Marotta emphasized the unified response to the incident. He shared the following statement:
Inter and the entire football world express their closeness to Bove's family and Fiorentina. The decision to postpone the match was spontaneous on everyone's part, we are a community, all the players and even the referee were emotionally involved. We hope it is nothing serious.
The football community has rallied around the young midfielder, with teammates and opponents alike showing their support. Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, who recently joined Fiorentina, expressed his concern through social media, while several players, including captain Cristiano Biraghi and Martinez Quarta, visited the hospital.
This marks the second collapse incident in Serie A this year, following Roma defender Evan Ndicka's medical emergency during a match against Udinese in April. Ndicka's situation was later attributed to a collapsed lung, highlighting the importance of immediate medical response in professional football.
The league's swift response to Bove's collapse demonstrates the enhanced medical protocols in place. Serie A officials promptly released a statement confirming the match's postponement to a later date, prioritizing the player's health over the sporting schedule.
Bove, who is on loan at Fiorentina from Roma, had been making significant strides in his career, appearing in 14 matches and scoring his first goal for the club against his parent team in October. The incident occurred as Fiorentina was maintaining an impressive third-place position in Serie A, level on points with Inter.
The medical team at Careggi Hospital continues to monitor Bove's condition closely under sedation. Fiorentina has announced that the player will undergo further evaluation within the next 24 hours to determine the full extent of his condition.
The focus remains on Bove's recovery as the football community awaits updates on his condition. The incident has highlighted the importance of having robust emergency medical procedures in place during professional matches, as well as the unity of the football community during such critical moments.
