Ranieri: ‘Media needs more respect for Bove’ | OneFootball

Fiorentina defender Luca Ranieri calls for ‘more respect’ for Edoardo Bove after mixed reports on whether he would be able to continue his career in Italian football after his medical emergency.

It kicks off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi at 11.30 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s four Serie A games on the Liveblog.

This is the first Serie A game for Fiorentina since their meeting with Inter was abandoned last week due to Bove’s collapse, where he was rushed to hospital.

Ranieri wants respect for Bove

FLORENCE, ITALY – DECEMBER 4: Fans of ACF Fiorentina for Edoardo Bove during the Coppa Italia match between ACF Fiorentina and Empoli FC at Artemio Franchi on December 4, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“We talk to Edoardo every day. He is doing well, having all the necessary tests, we cannot wait to see and hug him,” Ranieri told DAZN.

“However, I want to say we need more respect for Edo and privacy, because a lot of reports are coming out, things are being said that aren’t true and that’s not right.”

There were reports on Friday that Bove had decided to have a defibrillator implanted, which if confirmed would effectively end his Italian football career, because the rules ban players from continuing in sport with that cardiac condition.

This is also why Christian Eriksen had to leave Inter after he suffered cardiac arrest and had the ICD implanted, though his career continues elsewhere at Manchester United and in international football.

It is now reported that Bove has not yet made a decision and tests are continuing to see if he requires the implant.

Meanwhile, Fiorentina were back on the pitch on Wednesday in the Coppa Italia Round of 16, losing to Empoli in a penalty shoot-out.

“Unfortunately, on Wednesday we went out of the Coppa Italia and it was our objective to go as far as possible. Now we have a good side like Cagliari and need to get back on track,” concluded Ranieri.