Fiorentina player Edoardo Bove in intensive care after collapsing on pitch

The Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove is being treated in intensive care after collapsing on the pitch during the team’s Serie A match against Internazionale on Sunday.

In an official statement, the club said: “ACF Fiorentina and the Careggi university hospital have announced that footballer Edoardo Bove, who was treated on the pitch following a loss of consciousness during the Fiorentina v Inter match, is currently under sedation and is hospitalised in intensive care.”

The statement added: “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 cardiorespiratory system. Bove will be re-evaluated in the next 24 hours.”

Sky Sport Italia had earlier reported that Bove was breathing on his own and had regained consciousness while being transported to the nearby Careggi hospital. The 22-year-old had collapsed after seemingly bending down to take off his boot during a break in play for a VAR check on a disallowed goal.

Medical personnel rushed on to the pitch, with the Fiorentina players forming a ring around Bove, who arrived at the club on a year-long loan from Roma in August. After Bove was taken away in an ambulance, the referee asked the players to leave the pitch and return to the dressing room with the match suspended.

The Inter chairman, Giuseppe Marotta, stated that postponing the match was an easy decision. “Football is a community, so naturally when these situations happen, all the players and the referee worked together to help and it was a spontaneous decision to abandon the game,” he told Sky Sport Italia.

Fiorentina’s club president, Rocco Commisso, is “in constant contact with Florence from the United States to support Edoardo and his family”, according to the club. Commisso himself said: “Forza Edoardo, we’re with you. You’re a strong boy with a great character. We’re reaching out to the boy’s family during these moments.”

In a later statement, the club added: “Fiorentina and the Commisso family thank Viola fans, the clubs, fans and the world of football and sport for the support shown towards Edoardo Bove and his loved ones.”

A spokesperson for Serie A has confirmed the match will be replayed at a later date. Roma, who are due to play Atalanta on Monday evening, wrote on X: “One of us, we are all with you. Forza Edo!”