Sports newspapers headline Astori's death on front pages; FIFA, UEFA, Turkish Football Federation offers condolences
Italy is mourning the sudden death of Fiorentina football team captain Davide Astori as several leading sports newspapers in the country headlined the player's death on their front pages on Monday.
The newspapers, including La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport, mentioned the death of 31-year-old Astori on their front pages.
In addition to Italian newspapers, FIFA, UEFA, Turkish Football Federation (TFF), many football clubs and players extended their condolences.
"Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Davide Astori who has passed away at the age of 31," FIFA said on Twitter.
"Our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Fiorentina captain and Italian international Davide Astori, who passed away suddenly last night," European football's governing body UEFA said on social media.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) tweeted in Turkish and Italian to commemorate Astori and offered their condolences to the player's family as well as Fiorentina and Italian Football Federation.
"We are deeply saddened about Fiorentina captain Davide Astori's sudden death. We are offering our condolences to Fiorentina, Italian Football Federation and family of Astori," TFF stated.
Many football clubs from Turkey and Europe, famous Italian football figures such as Francesco Totti, Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon, and Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos extended condolences on social media.
On March 4, Astori was found dead in a hotel room in which his club Fiorentina stayed for their league match against Udinese.
A prosecutor in Udine said Astori's death was due to suspected cardiac arrest by natural causes.
After his death, Italian top-tier football league Serie A matches scheduled to be played in 27th week has been postponed.
Football fans flocked to Fiorentina's home stadium Artemio Franchi in Florence to pay tributes to the late footballer by lighting candles and hanging their scarves outside the stadium.
Fiorentina's Astori previously played for Italian heavyweights Milan and Roma. He scored one goal in 14 international matches for Italy.
Astori had 27 appearances for Fiorentina during this season.
