It is confirmed that 25-year-old Piermario Morosini has died after collapsing during Pescara-Livorno due to a heart attack. He was rushed to the local hospital, but confirmation has now arrived that he was already dead when the ambulance arrived.
It is confirmed that 25-year-old Piermario Morosini has died after collapsing during Pescara-Livorno due to a heart attack. He was rushed to the local hospital, but confirmation has now arrived that he was already dead when the ambulance arrived.
"He suffered a cardiac arrest. Unfortunately he was already dead when the ambulance arrived. He never regained consciousness," announced Doctor De Blasi.
The visitors were winning 2-0 after 31 minutes when Livorno midfielder Morosini began to stagger and then fell to the ground. Medical staff tried to revive him on the pitch and he was then rushed to the local hospital in an ambulance.
He was on loan at Livorno, but owned by Udinese. There will be a minute's silence ahead of every Serie A game this weekend.
It is at first glance a similar situation to the one that saw Fabrice Muamba collapse during Tottenham-Bolton.
The chief cardiologist of the Pescara hospital was in the stands during the game and rushed down immediately to help.
In Italy there is mandatory cardiac screening for all young people engaged in organised sport.
The charity Cardiac Risk in the Young says that the Italian measures have reduced the incidence of young sudden cardiac death in Italy by 90% in the 30 years since the screening was introduced.