Riccardo Chetta, 39, dies after collapsing during training in Italy | OneFootball

Riccardo Chetta, 39, died after collapsing during a training session in the province of Lecce, despite attempts to revive him.

A Parabita City spokesperson said he “gave his all for our colours and for our community”, adding, “Goodbye, Ricky. Have a safe journey.”

Chetta was taking part in a small-sided practice match when he sat down and then collapsed. Team-mates and staff gave CPR and used an on-site defibrillator at the Collepasso sports ground.

Emergency services arrived after around 15 minutes and continued resuscitation. He was pronounced dead about an hour later.

The incident occurred on 16 January while he was training with Parabita City, which competes in Italy’s over-30s amateur league.

Initial findings suggest a malignant arrhythmia involving ventricular fibrillation, a serious rhythm disturbance that stops the heart pumping effectively and can cause cardiac arrest.

From Parabita, Chetta worked in Lecce’s tourism sector and is survived by his wife, Ilaria, two sons aged six and three, his parents and a sister. His funeral took place in Parabita on Thursday 22 January.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk