Italy in mourning for Livorno's Morosini

The Italian football family is mourning Piermario Morosini, the 25-year-old who died during the Serie B fixture between Pescara Calcio and AS Livorno Calcio on Saturday.

The Livorno midfielder collapsed on the pitch during the first half of the game. A defibrillator was used, but attempts to revive the player proved to be in vain as Morosini was declared dead at the Santo Spirito hospital in Pescara.

A trainee at his home-town club Atalanta BC, Morosini was signed by Udinese Calcio in 2005 and played on loan with Bologna FC, Vicenza Calcio, Reggina Calcio, Calcio Padova and, since January, Livorno.

"This is one of the saddest days since I have been in football," said Udinese owner Giampaolo Pozzo. "He had been playing with us for several years. He was very serious, very professional and also a very good player."

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) has decided to cancel every match scheduled in Italy this weekend. The FIGC has confirmed that the games will be rearranged at a later date.

Morosini also played 56 times for various Italy youth teams, starting with the Under-17s in 2001, and he featured in the final round of the 2009 UEFA European U21 Championship in Sweden, where the Azzurrini reached the semi-finals.

UEFA extends its deepest sympathy to the Italian football family as well as to the family and friends of Piermario Morosini.