After The Sudden Death of Piermario Morosini, Questions Remain

On April 14, in the 31st minute of the match against Pescara, Livorno midfielder Piermario Morosini collapsed of an apparent heart attack. He was pronounced dead upon arrival to the hospital.

The death of a 25-year-old athlete will always shock and sadden. In this instance, however, the question remains of whether Mario could have been saved. A police car was parked in the wrong place at the Stadio Adriatico, leading to a delay of the arrival of the ambulance. Players from both sides rushed to grab the stretcher, forcing it through to Morosini.

The city of Pescara has opened an inquiry into the incident, but it may never be known if the delay in treatment had an effect on Morosini. Mario was revived at one point, but in the ambulance, the crew could do nothing. A pacemaker was introduced when he reached the hospital, but he was already gone.

Although first reports suggested the cause of death to be cardiac arrest, it is now thought an aneurysm may be the reason for Morosini's collapse. The reason can only be confirmed through the autopsy. Either way, Damiano Tommasi, president of the Players' Association, has called for a meeting to discuss stricter testing of players.