Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove collapses with players in tears

Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove collapsed and was rushed off the pitch in an ambulance during his side's Serie A match against Inter Milan on Sunday.

Bove, 22, went down untouched in the 16th minute with referee Daniele Doveri stopping the game to allow him to receive treatment.

The match was quickly suspended and the players returned to their dressing rooms as Bove was transported away from the stadium and to hospital.

Players and staff had formed a wall around Bove while medical staff tended to him. Several players from both sides were seen crying in harrowing scenes.

Fiorentina have released a statement detailing how Bove is 'currently under pharmacological sedation and hospitalised in intensive care'.

The club went on to say 'the first cardiological and neurological tests carried out have excluded acute damage to the central nervous system and the cardio-respiratory system'. 

Fiorentina's statement read: 'ACF Fiorentina and the Careggi University Hospital announce that the footballer Edoardo Bove, who was treated on the pitch following a loss of consciousness during the Fiorentina-Inter match, is currently under pharmacological sedation and hospitalised in intensive care . 

'The Viola footballer arrived at the emergency room in stable haemodynamic conditions and the first cardiological and neurological tests carried out have excluded acute damage to the central nervous system and the cardio-respiratory system. Edoardo Bove will be re-evaluated in the next 24 hours'.

Among the first to arrive at the hospital was captain Cristiano Biraghi. He was joined by Martinez Quarta. Danilo Cataldi, who was one of the first players to help Bove when he collapsed on the pitch, also visited the hospital. 

Rolando Mandragora, Pietro Terracciano, Luca Ranieri and Dodo were also seen at the hospital - with several other players making their way over to the medical facility to show their support. 

Inter Milan released a statement shortly after the incident took place on Sunday afternoon, saying: 'The match has been suspended due to a medical emergency.' 

Giuseppe Marotta, president of Inter, spoke about the incident shortly after it took place. He said: 'Inter and the entire football world express their closeness to Bove's family and Fiorentina. 

'The decision to postpone the match was spontaneous on everyone's part, we are a community , all the players and even the referee were emotionally involved. We hope it is nothing serious'. 

While a Serie A statement read: 'The match will not resume and is postponed to a date to be determined. With the game interrupted, Bove collapsed to the ground and the situation immediately appeared very serious. An ambulance took the player away, we await news.'

Sky Sport Italia reported that Bove was taken to the Careggi hospital near the Stadio Artemio Franchi, where the game had been played on Sunday evening.

Bove is on loan at Fiorentina from Roma and has made 14 appearances to date. He scored his first goal for his current club against his parent side in October.

An Italy international, Bove has played for his country at every age group up to the Under-21s but is yet to receive a call-up to the senior set-up.

Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, who joined Fiorentina earlier this season, prayed for Bove's health in a short message on social media. 

'God please,' he wrote on X.

The concerning incident marked the second time a player has collapsed during a Serie A match this year, with Roma defender Evan Ndicka requiring treatment against Udinese in April. It later transpired he had suffered a collapsed lung.

Fiorentina are currently third in Serie A, level on points with Inter.