25.03.2014 18:44 h

Football: Doctors to face trial over player's death

Three doctors will be tried for negligent homicide after the death of Livorno midfielder Piermario Morosini in a game in April 2012, a court in the city of Pescara announced on Tuesday.

Pescara doctor Ernesto Sabatini, Livorno's Manlio Porcellini and Vito Molfese of the emergency services will go on trial, starting on December 1.

According to a commission of experts interviewed as part of the investigation, the use of the defibrillator available at the stadium on the day of Morosini's death could have saved his life.

Morosini, who was playing for Livorno on loan from Serie A Udinese, collapsed on the pitch during a Serie B game at Pescara on April 14, 2012.

His death shocked Italy and matches across the country were called off that weekend as a mark of respect.

Morosini suffered from a cardiomyopathy, or a rare genetic heart muscle condition, according to the 250-page report into his death by Professor Cristian D'Ovidio.

Morosini was also reportedly not helped by the fact that the ambulance attending to him was delayed because of a security car parked in front of the emergency exit.