Italian Serie A games cancelled as fans mourn Fiorentina captain Davide Astori

Italy

Fiorentina captain and Italy international Davide Astori has died at the age of 31.

The defender died following a “sudden illness”, his club confirmed on their official Twitter feed.

The club said the Fiorentina fraternity are distraught and appealed for ‘everyone’s sensibility’ in this trying period, especially for the family.

“Fiorentina are profoundly shocked to have to announce the death of captain Davide Astori after a sudden illness,” Fiorentina said.

La Fiorentina profondamente sconvolta si trova costretta a comunicare che e' scomparso il suo capitano Davide Astori, colto da improvviso malore.
Per la terribile e delicata situazione, e soprattutto per rispetto della sua famiglia si fa appello alla sensibilità di tutti. pic.twitter.com/bFGnkReWEC

— ACF Fiorentina (@acffiorentina) March 4, 2018

Astori, capped 14 times by Italy, joined Fiorentina in 2016 from Cagliari and had made 58 appearances for the club.

Fiorentina were scheduled to play Udinese in Serie A on Sunday afternoon but the game has been called off.

Cagliari postponed their game against Genoa on Sunday morning.

This was closely followed by news that all Serie A games on Sunday had been called off.

OFFICIAL: All of today's Serie A games postponed following the tragic sudden death of Fiorentina captain Davide Astori.

— Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) March 4, 2018

Astori came through the youth system at AC Milan before joining Cagliari in 2008.

He spent eight years at the club and had loan spells at Roma and Fiorentina before moving permanently to the latter two years ago.

Tributes and condolences are being shared online.

Our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of acffiorentina captain and Italian international Davide Astori, who passed away suddenly last night. pic.twitter.com/j8X2ZKzv4A
— UEFA (UEFA) March 4, 2018

A man who loved football and who grew up as 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 (@acmilan) March 4, 2018