Fiorentina Captain Davide Astori Dies at 31
Written by MaxFM on March 5, 2018
Fiorentina Captain Davide Astori Dies, Aged 31
Fiorentina captain and Italy international Davide Astori has died suddenly in his sleep aged 31.
The father-of-one was found in a hotel room by a massage therapist this morning after he did not turn up for breakfast or answer his phone.
It is believed Astori died of “cardio-circulatory arrest due to natural causes” – a type of heart attack – but that he showed “no warning signs” of having any illness, said Udine prosecutor Antonio De Nicolo.
Club spokesman Arturo Mastronardi said: “The lad did not turn up to the team breakfast at 9.30am and he was usually the first to arrive.
“So they went to check on him. Davide was sleeping in a room on his own. The body has been taken for an autopsy, which I think will be conducted today.”
A club statement read: “A profoundly shocked Fiorentina are compelled to announce that their captain Davide Astori, who was struck by an unexpected sudden illness, has passed away.
Astori, who was born in the province of Bergamo, passed away ahead of his side’s Serie A game against Udinese. All seven of today’s fixtures in the Italian top flight have been postponed as a mark of respect.
The Fiorentina team bus outside the hotel where Davide Astori died
Police arrive at the scene in Udine
A giant banner honouring Davide Astori is put up outside Fiorentina’s stadium
WATCH: Antonio Conte's touching tribute to Fiorentina captain, Davide Astori, who he managed when with the national team. ???? pic.twitter.com/UhYTqrV0UB
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 4, 2018
Reports had initially claimed his team-mates broke down his hotel room door when he failed to show for breakfast or answer his phone.
The centre-back had 14 caps for his country after making his debut in 2011 and had enjoyed a professional career spanning 12 years, which also took in the 2013 Confederations Cup.
