Italian authorities have confirmed that they have opened manslaughter proceedings into the death of Fiorentina captain Davide Astori.
The 31-year-old Italy international centre-back died on the night of Saturday into Sunday, on the eve of his team’s Serie A trip to Udinese, which was subsequently postponed.
Police are now set to investigate the death, the cause of which is currently unknown, it has been confirmed.
“We have opened criminal proceedings over the hypothesis of manslaughter,” Antonio De Nicolo, Udine chief prosecutor, told Radio Rai.
“For now, it’s been brought against unknown persons. We’ve arranged an autopsy, which will be performed soon.”
Under Italian law, the only way an autopsy could take place on Astori in order to discover the cause of death was to open such a case.
As such, there is currently no suggestion of foul play involved in the passing of the former AC Milan youth player, who subsequently starred at the likes of Cagliari and Roma before moving to Fiorentina.
"We have a duty to ascertain whether Astori’s death was a tragic fatality of if someone knew something," De Nicolo subsequently clarified to ANSA.
"For now, no-one is responsible, neither is there anyone who seems as if they could answer anything.
"The start of this judicial procedure allows us to identify any responsibility on the part of anyone."
Fiorentina confirmed on Monday that a funeral for Astori will be held at the Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence at 10am local time.
UEFA also announced that all Champions League and Europa League matches this week will have a minute's silence in respect of the player's passing.
The footballing world united in grief on Sunday for Astori, with the entire card of Serie A matches postponed as a mark of respect.