Fiorentina general manager Joe Barone is currently on life support after suffering a cardiac arrest. The incident occurred on Sunday at the team hotel just before Fiorentina's scheduled match against Atalanta. Barone was swiftly transported to a hospital in Milan, leading to the postponement of the match.
As of Sunday night, the club reported that Barone, who is set to turn 58 on Wednesday, was in a 'critical but stable' condition. On Monday, Fiorentina provided an update stating that Barone is still hospitalized in the cardiac intensive care unit at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan.
The club mentioned that Barone's vital functions are being supported through artificial mechanical techniques, and no specific prognosis has been determined yet. Fiorentina expressed gratitude towards San Raffaele Hospital and Prof. Alberto Zangrillo's medical team for their efforts in caring for Barone since his admission.
Barone, originally from Italy but raised in New York, received immediate support from his wife, Camilla, who rushed to Milan from Florence upon learning of the situation. His four children also arrived from the United States on Monday morning to be by his side.
Fiorentina's coach, Vincenzo Italiano, along with several players, visited Barone at the hospital on Sunday. Reports suggest that some players were present when Barone fell ill.
This unfortunate event comes just two weeks after Fiorentina commemorated the sixth anniversary of the passing of their captain, Davide Astori, who tragically died from a cardiac arrest in his hotel room before a match against Udinese.