HOSPITALISED Fiorentina star Edoardo Bove’s mum fainted in the stands after her son collapsed against Inter Milan, according to reports.
Bove was rushed off the pitch in an ambulance after suddenly falling down to the turf during his side’s Serie A match at the Stadio Artemio Franchi on Sunday.
The 22-year-old went down untouched in the 16th minute with referee Daniele Doveri stopping the game immediately to allow him to receive treatment.
Bove was seen bending down and tying his laces before standing up, but took a few steps before suddenly collapsing.
He is now in hospital but is awake and has said his first words since the terrifying incident.
According to La Repubblica, he said: “Thank you everyone.”
Heartbroken players and staff had yesterday formed a wall around the midfielder while medical staff tended to Bove.
The ref then took players off the pitch with the match initially suspended and later abandoned at 0-0.
Team-mates and rivals alike were seen crying and with their hands on their heads as the horrifying ordeal played out.
Bove was then taken off by stretcher before being placed in an ambulance and taken to Careggi hospital.
Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport has reported that Bove’s mother Tanya fainted inside the stadium after the traumatic incident.
According to reports, his dad Giovanni and girlfriend Martina attended the hospital straight away.
But his devastated mum later attended the emergency room after regaining consciousness, along with the mayor of Florence, Sara Funaro.
The Italian star was reportedly under sedation in intensive care.
Bove has since regained consciousness and doctors have assured that his “life was not in danger” as they plan to re-evaluate him in the next 24 hours.
According to La Repubblica, the Viola footballer is “alert, conscious and breathing independently.”
Several Fiorentina staff members – including head coach Raffaele Palladino – are believed to be at the hospital to support Bove.
The midfielder joined Fiorentina on a season-long loan from Roma in August, with a view to make the deal permanent.
He scored his first goal for his current club against his parent side in October.
Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso said: “Forza Edoardo, we’re with you. You’re a strong boy with a great character. We’re reaching out to his family during these moments.”
Giuseppe Marotta, Inter president, said to Sky Italia: “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.”
Bove’s team-mate David de Gea, the former Manchester United goalkeeper, posted on X, external: “God please. ”
Following the incident, Fiorentina’s full statement read: “We and the Commisso family thank Viola fans, the clubs, fans and the world of football and sport for the support shown towards Edoardo Bove and his loved ones.”
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.
