Fiorentina captain Astori, 31, passes away (Lead)
Florence (Italy) March 4 (IANS) ACF Fiorentina captain and Italian international Davide Astori 31 has died due to a sudden illness the club announced on Sunday sending the Italian football community into mourning.
"Fiorentina are profoundly shaken and forced to announce that club captain Davide Astori has died caught by a sudden illness " Fiorentina said in a statement.
According to media reports Astori who played 14 times for Italy as a defender died in his sleep in his team s hotel in the northern Italian city of Udine on Sunday ahead of their Serie A clash against Udinese away.
"For the terrible and delicate situation and above all for the respect of his family appeal is made to everyone s sensibility " Fiorentina said.
As a sign of respect all Serie A matches scheduled for Sunday were suspended Serie A and the Italian football federation FIGC announced.
"All the fixtures scheduled for today are postponed as a sign of mourning. Farwell Astori " Serie A tweeted.
Astori joined the AC Milan youth academy and played for Cagliari and Roma before moving on loan to Fiorentina in 2015 and signing a long-term contract in 2016.
Since joining Fiorentina he played 106 matches and became the leading figure in the Italian club.
FIFA and UEFA along with several footballing personalities also offered their condolences on Astori s death.
"Our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of @acffiorentina captain and Italian international Davide Astori who passed away suddenly last night " UEFA tweeted.
"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Davide Astori who has passed away at the age of 31 " FIFA tweeted.
FIGC said: "The FIGC s thoughts are with the directors coaches and staff who knew and respected Davide throughout Italian football while we also offer our most profound condolences to the Astori family."
"A man who loved football and who grew up as a footballer with us. #ACMilan are shocked by the passing of Davide #Astori. It is with great sadness that we offer our deepest condolences to his family and closed ones and to ACF #Fiorentina " AC Milan said.
Astori s national team captain Gianluigi Buffon wrote an emotional letter in his tribute to his former teammate. "I have hardly publicly expressed a thought about a person because I have always let the beauty and uniqueness of relationships mutual esteem and affection not be exploited or disposed off to those who do not have the delicacy to respect certain links. In your case I feel like I m making an exception to my rule because you have a young wife and family members who will be suffering but especially your little girl she deserves to know that her dad was a decent person. A great decent person.... you were the best expression of an ancient outdated world in which values such as altruism elegance education and respect for the next did it as masters. Congratulations really you were one of the best sports figures I came across " the 40-year-old legendary goalkeeper posted on Facebook.
All the European clubs including the likes of Real Madrid FC Barcelona Liverpool Bayern Munich Juventus Manchester United and Manchester City Schalke extended their condolences to Astori s family friends and teammates.
"Shocked incredulous and speechless for this tragedy. I m close to the family and friends of Davide Astori " Francesco Totti who captained Astori at AS Roma said.
Lazio and Italy striker Ciro Immobile said: "I have no words Davide only deep pain you were a good person and you made you love everyone! I send you a hug wherever you are resting in peace champion. # davideastori#RiPAstori
Juventus chief coach Massimiliano Allegri who coached Astori at Cagliari wrote on Twitter: "Moments words images and many memories: the moment is tremendous for those who have got to know Davide. It was a privilege to train him he will be missed. A hug especially to the family."
--IANS
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