FLORENCE, Italy — Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove is in a medically induced coma after collapsing on the field during his team’s Serie A match at home to Inter Milan on Sunday, with the game abandoned shortly afterward. Bove’s teammates immediately called for medical help and both sets of players surrounded the 22-year-old while he was being treated before he was swiftly stretchered off to an ambulance near the pitch and taken to Careggi Hospital in Florence. Article continues after this advertisement“Fiorentina and the Careggi University Hospital announce that the footballer Edoardo Bove … is currently under pharmacological sedation and hospitalized in intensive care,” Fiorentina said in a statement. “The first cardiological and neurological tests performed have ruled out acute damage to the central nervous system and the cardio-respiratory system. Edoardo Bove will be re-evaluated in the next 24 hours.” FEATURED STORIES SPORTS UAAP: Royce Mantua, Adamson hope to build on Final Four experience SPORTS NU Pep Squad reclaims Cheerdance crown with ‘out of this world’ spectacle SPORTS Spikers' Turf: Savouge breaking stereotypes on way to semis READ: PSG keeper Sergio Rico out of coma after riding accidentSky Italia reported that the player regained consciousness while he was in the ambulance and was managing to breathe on his own. Bove’s parents and his girlfriend have arrived at the hospital along with Fiorentina coach Raffaele Palladino and most of his teammates, as well as club directors and the city’s mayor. Article continues after this advertisementFiorentina fans have also gathered outside the hospital and displayed a banner with the words: “Forza Edoardo, Florence is with you.” Article continues after this advertisementFiorentina president Rocco Commisso echoed that sentiment and the club said he and his family are in constant contact from the United States to support Bove and his family. Article continues after this advertisement“Forza Edoardo, we’re with you,” Commisso said. “You’re a strong boy with a great character.” More messages of support flooded in on social media from players and clubs. Inter midfielder Federico Dimarco, who was on the field at the time, wrote “Forza Edo, we are all with you and your family.” Article continues after this advertisementThe incident happened in the 16th minute of the match, with play stopped following a VAR check. Bove apparently bent down to tie the laces on his boot before he suddenly dropped to the ground. Fiorentina players were distraught on the field and were comforted by staff members as well as Inter players. Several were openly sobbing before the teams filed off the field. READ: Dutch cycling star Amy Pieters in induced coma after crashThe Italian league match was immediately halted, before being abandoned. The score at the time of Bove’s collapse was 0-0. Many at Fiorentina — as well as the fans — remember former captain Davide Astori, who was found dead in his hotel room in March 2018 before a match in Udine. It is the second incident this year of a player collapsing during a Serie A match. It happened to Roma defender Evan Ndicka during his team’s match at Udinese in April. Bove is a product of the Roma youth academy and joined Fiorentina on loan in the offseason with the option to make the move permanent. Subscribe to our daily newsletter Romelu Lukakuubet63, who spent last season at Roma with Bove, posted a photo of the pair during a match and added the caption: “I love you lil bro. We are all with you.” READ NEXT UAAP: Royce Mantua, Adamson hope to build on Final Four exper... Mbappe, Bellingham respond to unhappy Real Madrid fans with goals EDITORS' PICK Oil price movement: Gasoline up 90¢/L, diesel down 20¢/L (G)I-DLE confirms full-unit contract renewal at Melon Music Awards 2024 Riprap collapses in Cebu City barangay: 1 dead, 1 hurt West PH Sea: Marcos says Russian submarine sighting ‘very worrisome’ Russian attack sub spotted in West PH Sea PNP has no info about a ‘credible threat' vs VP Sara Duterte's life MOST READ Comelec junks House bid of 'manghihilot’ from Laguna Marcos order vs VP Duterte impeachment wasn’t considered — de Lima Russian attack sub spotted in West PH Sea BIZ BUZZ: Goodbye, Pepsi plant Follow @FMangosingINQ on Twitter --> View comments |