Italy in shock after Morosini dies during Serie B match

Morosini, who was on loan from Udinese, collapsed in the 31st minute and received treatment on the pitch - reportedly including a heart massage in a bid to resuscitate him - before being rushed to Pescara's Santo Spirito hospital.

The match was abandoned and many players left the field in tears.

Lega Serie B then confirmed on their website: "Tragedy on the field. After suffering a cardiac arrest during the match between Pescara and Livorno, Piermario Morosini has died.

"The 25-year-old player, who came through the youth ranks with Atalanta, arrived at Livorno from Udinese in January and played nine times for the Amaranto."

Quoted on www.gazzetta.it, cardiologist Edoardo De Blasio said: "It was a cardiac arrest. Sadly, he was already dead when he arrived in the hospital and he never recovered."

The Italian Football Association (FIGC) swiftly announced the postponement of all remaining matches in the country over the weekend.

The Lega Serie A said in a statement on their website: "The football world mourns the tragedy that occurred this afternoon in Pescara, where during the game between the hosts and Livorno, the player Piermario Morosini slumped to the ground suffering from a heart attack. Transported to the hospital, the young midfielder was put into an induced coma, but died at around 1700.

"The FIGC has suspended, in memory of Piermario, all games scheduled over the weekend."

The ambulance came onto the field in Pescara to take Morosini away, with both sets of players standing by in distress.

The tragedy comes four weeks after Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest during his team's FA Cup quarter-final at Tottenham.