Bove to face ban from Italian football like Eriksen: reports

Edoardo Bove, the 22-year-old Fiorentina player who collapsed in the match against Inter on Sunday, could be forced to continue his professional career away from Italy should he be fitted with a cardiac defibrillator. Sports regulations in Italy, outlined in the ‘’Cardiac Protocols for the Assessment of Fitness for Competitive Sport ‘, do not foresee that a footballer with a defibrillator can play in Serie A.

Although Fiorentina have not reported any news on the player since Monday, 'La Repubblica' informed earlier on Thursday that the midfielder has seemingly given his green light to install a defibrillator, thus ruling him out of Italian football. According to the same source, the implant could be carried out as early as Friday, given that Bove's heart rate is under control.  

His situation would be almost identical to that of Christian Eriksen. The Danish playmaker had to leave Inter Milan after suffering a similar episode during the 2020 Euros and being fitted with a device that corrects any possible arrhythmia using small electric shocks. Fortunately for him, he was able to continue playing football in England, where such regulations are far more lenient. Having signed for Brentford the following January, the 32-year-old now plies his trade for Manchester United and is still a regular for his national team.

With reports yet to be confirmed from the club, cardiologists at the Careggi University Hospital in Florence are currently working to clarify the exact reason for Bove's collapse. The medics' rapid intervention on the field was key in keeping the player alive, who was resuscitated in the ambulance. Fiorentina played their Coppa Italia fixture against Empoli on Wednesday, which they lost on penalties, dedicating a banner to show him support.

 

December 5, 2024