Fiorentina's clash with Inter Milan on Sunday was abruptly suspended after midfielder Edoardo Bove collapsed on the pitch.
Reports from spectators indicate the midfielder, who is on loan from Roma, fell to the ground with no one around him. It's believed his fellow players were visibly distressed as paramedics attended to the 22-year-old.
Players from both teams rushed towards the young player when he fell. Many of them gathered around, with some said to be in tears. Fiorentina's David de Gea - once of Manchester United - later posted "God please" on social media along with a praying hands emoji.
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Italian publication Gazzetta reports that the decision was made to abandon the match following the incident. As of now, there has been no official confirmation from Serie A regarding the postponement of the match. Sky Italia notes that Bove collapsed while the game was paused for an unrelated issue. He is said to have bent down to tie his shoelace shortly before collapsing.
Bove's teammate Andrea Colpani was visibly distraught after Bove went down on the pitch, with scenes of him in tears. The unfolding events led to Colpani, along with his Fiorentina and Inter counterparts still on the field, being ushered back to the locker rooms, while reports indicated that supporters began to exit the stadium not long afterward.
Since arriving on loan at Fiorentina in the summer transfer window, Bove has become a consistent selection, celebrating his first goal in Viola colours during October in a remarkable 5-1 win against his own parent club, Roma. Messages of support have been pouring in across social media platforms.
A number of supporters sent well-wishes on social media. "I hope they can help him. Awful, awful news to read today. Still holding hope the doctors can heal him," one wrote.
"Thoughts with Bove, his family and @acffiorentina," wrote another. "We should suspend this match. The players were shaken. They are people too."
