“We often see fit young athletes, but they can hide cardiovascular or neurological pathologies. This is why we repeat almost obsessively how important the suitability exam is, we cannot neglect this only test that we have in Italy. On the press release issued by Fiorentina we can’t say more. The thing that reassures us is that there have been no events that have caused neurological or cardiovascular damage, it takes away a lot of the anxiety we had at the beginning.” So does the professor Enrico Castellacciformer national team doctor and sports medicine expert, guest on Radio Anch’io Sport su Rai Radio 1on the illness that occurred yesterday to Fiorentina midfielder Edoardo Bove during Fiorentina-Inter.
Bove is under pharmacological sedation: is this an indication that can suggest something to us? “Pharmacological sedation is a practice that is normally done in intensive care, it serves to completely calm the boy and bring him into a better state. It is not something alarming, but it is a practice that is done in intensive care after crises of this kind. It’s not worrying. Only future investigations will be able to give us an indication of Bove’s health and then the possible continuation of his competitive activity.”
Could these episodes have a correlation with the increase in the intensity of the tackles and the speed of the game? “Not about this type of problem. Then a contusion can lead to a heart problem, but I don’t think this was the case. The increase in speed, competitiveness, contrasts can create a thousand other problems, especially of a muscular nature. tendinea. But as far as this type of problem is concerned, no.”
First aid, before the ambulance: “There are two benches with doctors who immediately give first aid to the player. Then we have the defibrillator on the pitch. The first thing is that there is no confusion, to make space around the player and let those who know how to give a massage work Then of course the presence of an ambulance on the pitch is reassuring.
Bove’s competitive future: abroad like Eriksen? “I’m happy that Eriksen is playing in England, but I’m equally happy that we have such strict and marked procedures, which make Italy one of the countries at the forefront when it comes to children’s health. I honestly can’t tell you what the future, I don’t know the exact diagnosis. I wouldn’t be pessimistic, I would calmly wait for the tests to be carried out in the near future and then see what the possibilities are. But without a diagnosis we can’t evaluate Edoardo’s competitive future.”
The safety net which also concerns grassroots sport: “The safety net exists, but there must be greater sensitivity on the part of everyone. Even amateurs should undergo a suitability check, which I define as a passport for life. The suitability test is the the only visit that allows you to do an initial screening that can save many people. In Italy we are very strict, in other countries there are much more superficial visits, in some countries it doesn’t even exist and the responsibility is only given to the player. I am convinced that yes is right in Italy, even if you save just one person, it’s a life saved and it’s too important.”
How long will it take to establish the dynamics of the facts and any consequences? “The first 24-48 hours serve to clarify the most recent hypotheses. If there are previous cardiovascular and neurological causes, it will take a few more days for in-depth investigations. I want to send a big hug to Edoardo Bove, he deserves all the affection on our part.”