Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove in stable condition after collapse

Just 17 minutes into a Serie A football match in Florence, play was abruptly stopped after Fiorentina player Edoardo Bove lost consciousness and collapsed on the pitch without warning.

According to a club statementon Sunday night, the 22-year-old midfielder was subsequently hospitalised in intensive care under sedation. The statement also added that Bove “arrived at the emergency room in stable hemodynamic conditions and the first cardiological and neurological tests performed have ruled out acute damage to the central nervous system and the cardio-respiratory system.”

His condition is set to be re-evaluated during the course of the day, while media reports on Monday morning say he has regained consciousness and is responsive.

Medical personnel rushed towards Bove within seconds after the player collapsed during a pause in play while a VAR conducted a check on a disallowed goal. The match was initially suspended while visibly upset players from both teams made their way to the changing rooms, before being abandoned to be replayed at a later date.

The young midfielder, who arrived in Florence in the summer from Roma, was rushed to Careggi hospital in front of 22,000 shocked spectators who had flocked to the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

The player’s fiancée, friends and parents immediately joined him at Careggi hospital, followed shortly afterwards by his Fiorentina teammates and coach Raffaele Palladino.

Several fans also arrived in front of the hospital and put up a banner on the wall in a car park which read “Forza Edoardo, Firenze è con te” (Come on Edoardo, Florence is with you). Messages of encouragement came pouring in on social media as well, from football fans, former teammates and rivals alike.