Italy’s football community is mourning the death of 26-year-old striker Mattia Giani, who tragically died due to cardiac arrest during a fifth-division match in Tuscany on April 14. Giani was a player for Castelfiorentino.
Giani was participating in a game against Lanciotto Campi at Campi Bisenzio in Florence when the incident occurred. He collapsed on the field in the 15th minute of the game after experiencing chest pains, while taking a shot at goal.
Efforts to resuscitate him began with a masseur, and he was quickly transported to Careggi Hospital in Florence. Unfortunately, Giani died the following day.
The sudden and unexpected nature of his death has led to an outpouring of tributes and has raised questions about the adequacy of medical preparedness at sports events. Giani’s death is reminiscent of Piermario Morosini’s passing, another player who suffered a fatal heart attack during a match in 2012. This incident occurred on the anniversary of Morosini’s death.
In memory of Giani, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced that a minute’s silence would be observed in all football matches nationwide the following weekend.
Following revelations of potential medical negligence, Italian prosecutors have initiated a manslaughter investigation. Reports suggest that the initial ambulance dispatched arrived without a doctor, and necessary medical equipment, including a defibrillator, was not immediately available.
Gianluca Mancini, a player for AS Roma, whose sister is in a relationship with Giani’s brother Elia, expressed his sorrow and support. Following a goal he scored in Roma’s 2-1 Europa League victory over AC Milan, Mancini revealed a T-shirt that read “Farewell Mattia, forever with us,” dedicating his goal to Giani. Mancini shared with Sky Sports Italia, “My sister and Mattia’s family are suffering. The world around them has collapsed, but they will rise again. I wanted to dedicate this goal to him.”
Nico Scaridigli, Giani’s coach, recalled him as a “wonderful guy” and a skilled player whose career was frequently impacted by muscle issues.
Sofia Caruso, Giani’s girlfriend who had moved in with him only two days before his death, shared emotional recollections about their time together. She revealed their plans for the future, including their intention to get married and start a family. Caruso stated, “Mattia made me understand what love was and he took care of me.”
Seeking answers, Giani’s family has voiced their concerns about the circumstances surrounding his untimely death. His father, Sandro Giani, has filed a complaint, emphasizing the absence of medical personnel at the field and the delayed emergency response.
The FIGC president, Gabriele Gravina, expressed his condolences and emphasized the importance of health safeguards in sports: “The entire Italian football movement rallies around those who loved him… Such dramatic events remind us that prevention must always be a priority.”
This tragic event has sparked discussions about the critical need for comprehensive medical infrastructure and trained personnel at sports venues to prevent such incidents in the future.
