Fiorentina director Joe Barone is reported to be in critical condition after he collapsed at the team hotel just hours ahead of the Serie A match with Atalanta.
The general manager, who is set to turn 58 on Wednesday, collapsed at the Devero Hotel in Cavenago di Brianza at circa 15.00 local time, when the squad was preparing to set off for the game at the Gewiss Stadium in Bergamo.
The bus never left, as the players were shaken by the incident, seeing him rushed to hospital in an ambulance.
According to news agency Ansa, Barone suffered a cardiac arrest and was given CPR on the scene before being taken to the San Raffaele hospital in Milan.
He is reported to be in critical condition, his wife arrived this evening after making the journey from Florence, while their children are expected to fly in from America.
President Rocco Commisso, who personally hired Barone for the Fiorentina job, is also trying to find a flight from the United States.
Visitors at the hospital included Fiorentina directors, coach Vincenzo Italiano and several players.
That match was called off and will be rescheduled at a later date, although finding that might be tricky considering both Atalanta and Fiorentina are in the Coppa Italia semi-finals and the Europa or Conference League quarter-finals.
Barone non mollare.