An official investigation into the death of Fiorentina Captain Davide Astori has been confirmed, leading to a potential manslaughter case.
According to a prosector they suspect the 31-year-old skipper, who had just become a father two weeks ago, died from a cardiac arrest.
The Italian international’s body was discovered in his room at La di Moret hotel in Udine by a member of Fiorentina’s staff on the morning he was set to lead the team out against Udinese in the Serie A.
The Sun report Udine prosecutor Antonio De Nicolo as telling Sky Sports:
We have opened criminal proceedings over the hypothesis of manslaughter.
For now, it’s been brought against unknown persons. We’ve arranged an autopsy, which will be performed soon.
In accordance with Italian law, the only means of permitting an autopsy to investigate Astori’s untimely death was to open such a case.
After his death was announced the club released a brief statement confirming the death of their skipper – who was set to sign a new contract which would have tied him to the Viola for the rest of his playing career.
The club statement, which was released on Twitter read:
Fiorentina are profoundly shaken and forced to announce that their captain Davide Astori has died.
For this terrible and delicate situation, and above all out of respect for his family, we appeal to the sensitivity of the media.
Prior to his unexpected and tragic death, Astori had been playing professionally in the Serie A for 12 years, beginning his career at the San Siro with A.C Milan. He soon moved to Cagliari where he began to make a name for himself.
He eventually moved to Fiorentina, becoming a vital member of the squad immediately, playing for the team 78 times.
He also became a familiar figure on the Italian national team – being selected 14 times for his country and scoring once.
Italy and Juventus legend Gianluigi Buffon, posted a tribute to his former Azzurri teammate on Instagram, writing:
Hi dear Asto,
I hardly publicly expressed a thought about a person, because I have always left that the beauty and the uniqueness of relationships, mutual esteem and affection, should not be exploited or thrown into the meal to those who do not have the delicacy to respect certain ties.
In your case, I feel I am making an exception to my rule, because you have a young wife and family members who are suffering, but especially your little girl, deserves to know that her father was in all respects a PERFECT PERSON .. … A GREAT PERFECT PERSON … you were the best expression of an ancient, surpassed world, in which values such as altruism, elegance, education and respect for others, were the masters.
Congratulations indeed, you were one of the best sports figures in which I came across.
R.I.P.
Your crazy Gigi
While rare, it is not uncommon to hear of footballers suffering cardiac arrests which prove fatal. Most notably former West Ham and Man City player Marc Viven Foé collapsed and died while on international duty with Cameroon during the 2003 Confederations cup.
In March 2012 during an FA Cup meeting between Tottenham Hotspurs, Bolton player Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed during the first half. After his recovery, Muamba was forced to retire despite being only 24-years-old.
Last June former Newcastle United player and Ivory Coast international Cheick Tioté died during a training session with China League One outfit Beijing Enterprises. At the time of his death Tioté was only 30.
Our thoughts go out to Astori’s family and friends at this hard time.
Rest in peace.
