Italian soccer is still in shock after the passing of midfielder Piermario Morosini, so much so that Udinese captain Antonio di Natale is considering retirement at season's end.
Morosini collapsed during Livorno's Serie B match against Pescara on Saturday after suffering cardiac arrest. The 25-year-old midfielder, who was on loan to Livorno from Udinese, was tended to on the field and rushed to a nearby hospital but attempts to revive him were unsuccesful.
Morosini's passing has resulted in Di Natale, 34, to contemplate retiring. Di Natale said too much soccer is played in Italy, and that he will finish out this season as tribute to Morosini before making a decision on his playing future.
Livorno players and fans gathered at the team's stadium on Sunday to show their respect for Morosini, laying flowers, scarves and banners under a jersey that had been placed at the main gate.
Here are more stories from Monday:
CABANAS RETURNS TO ACTION
Paraguayan striker Salvador Cabanas returned to professional soccer on Saturday night, playing in his first official match since being shot in the head just over two years ago. Cabanas, who still has the bullet lodged in his head, played most of the first half as his second-division Paraguay side, Club 12 de Octubre, defeated Club Martin Ledesma, 2-0. Both goals came after halftime.
DIOUF ARRESTED AFTER BRAWL AT NIGHTCLUB
Doncaster Rovers forward El-Hadji Diouf was one of six men arrested on Sunday after a nightclub brawl left a 33-year-old man in the hospital. The fight occurred in a Manchester nightclub, with Diouf being taken into custody on suspicion of violent conduct. Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand was questioned about the incident by police but not arrested.
RODRIGUEZ AGREES TO NEW PALERMO DEAL
Uruguayan forward Abel Hernandez will be donning a Palermo jersey for the foreseeable future. The 21-year-old striker signed a contract extension with the Serie A club that runs through June 2016. Hernandez has scored five goals in 15 league appearances this season.
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What do you think of Di Natale possibly retiring after the death of Morosini? Do you see Cabanas building on this performance? Was it a smart move for Palermo to extend Rodriguez's stay?
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