BREAKING Footballer collapses and dies throughout coaching as team-mates try CPR on pitch
Prosecutors are investigating the sports doctor who issued the 39-year-old dad-of-two’s medical certificate in December after he suffered a suspected heart rhythm disturbance
Riccardo Chetta collapsed and died during football training(Image: Jam Press)
A footballer collapsed and died on the pitch during a tragic training session.
Riccardo Chetta was playing a small-sided match with his Parabita City team-mates when he suddenly sat down and then fell to the turf, leaving him lifeless on the pitch. Staff and players rushed to his aid immediately, trying to resuscitate him with the onsite defibrillator under guidance from emergency services over the phone.
Paramedics arrived about 15 minutes after the call and continued CPR, but after around 55 minutes, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Chetta, 39, had been with Parabita City, who play in Italy’s over-30 amateur football league, for more than 10 years.
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The tragedy took place at the Collepasso sports field in Lecce province, in Italy’s ‘heel’, last Friday (January 16). It is believed he died from a malignant arrhythmia – a severe, life-threatening heart rhythm disturbance – with ventricular fibrillation, as reported by NeedToKnow.
Preliminary findings suggest a severe heart rhythm disorder that prevented his heart from pumping effectively, rapidly leading to cardiac arrest.
Chetta, from Parabita, was well known in the tourism sector. He had inherited the family travel agency from his father and managed several agritourism properties. He was also deeply involved with the Salento Book Festival.
Prosecutors have placed the sports doctor who issued his medical certificate in December under investigation. The inquiry is focusing on a previous episode of illness Chetta reported and whether any warning signs were overlooked during his medical.
He is survived by his wife Ilaria, their two sons – aged six and three – his parents, and a sister. His funeral was held in Parabita yesterday (January 22).
Parabita City paid tribute to Chetta, as a club spokesman said: “We gather around a man who gave his all for our colours and for our community – a man we thank for his light-heartedness, his simplicity, and his generosity towards everyone.
“Goodbye, Ricky 19. Have a safe journey.”
