Fiorentina issue Edoardo Bove statement after footballer collapsed during match

Fiorentina have issued an update after midfielder Edoardo Bove collapsed during their Serie A clash with Inter Milan.

Bove, 22, went down off the ball in the first half of Sunday's match which was eventually abandoned. The on-loan Roma prospect was rushed to hospital and remains in intensive care under sedation.

"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," an update read.

"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 cardio-respiratory system. Bove will be re-evaluated in the next 24 hrs."

Medical staff were alerted to the incident in the 17th minute, with both sets of players visibly distressed after seeing Bove go to ground. Bove's team-mate, Andrea Colpani, was reduced to tears.

After the 22-year-old was stretchered off the field of play, both teams returned to their respective dressing rooms. The majority of the 20,000-strong crowd in Florence remained in their seats until it was announced around 20 minutes after the incident that the game had been abandoned.

Serie A said in a statement: "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."

Some Fiorentina fans from the Fiesole curve displayed a banner on the wall of a car park outside the emergency room at Careggi hospital, where Bove remains. "Forza Edoardo, Florence is with you," it read.

Bove's parent club, Roma, sent a message of support on social media, posting on X: "One of us, we are all with you, go Edo!" alongside a photo of the Italian playing for the club. Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea, who now plays for Fiorentina, also posted on X: "God please," with a praying emoji.

Bove joined Fiorentina on loan at the beginning of this season. The former Italy under-21 international has made 14 appearances, scoring one goal and registering three assists.