THOUSANDS OF LIVORNO fans have paid their respects to Piermario Morosini, who died from a cardiac arrest during a Serie B match on Saturday.
In an emotional day for the Italian club’s supporters, the solemn ceremony, held on Livorno’s Armando Picchi Stadium, provided them with a chance to say goodbye to one of their own.
The hearse was driven slowly around the ground, after fans had earlier laid candles, flowers and cards at the main gates. The 25-year-old collapsed during Saturday’s game at Pescara and was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital.
An autopsy was carried out on Monday, but failed to return a conclusive cause of death. Morosini joined Livorno on loan from Serie A side Udinese in January, and played just eight games for the club.
Tuscany based Livorno have said they will retire his number 25 shirt, while club legend Igor Protti has requested a section of their home stadium be renamed in Morosini’s honour. A minute’s silence will be held at all Italian football matches this weekend. His funeral will take place in his home town of Bergamo today.
