Fiorentina Renews Contract of Captain Davide Astori

Fiorentina has decided to renew the contract of their captain Davide Astori, who tragically passed away in the early hours of Sunday, and give his salary to his family, announced the president of the Italian Olympic Committee (CONI), Giovanni Malago, on Monday.

"Fiorentina has renewed Astori's contract. The salary will go to his family, to his wife and daughter," said Malago, after a meeting of the Italian League, currently under the auspices of CONI.

Malago described the decision of the Della Valle family, the owners of Fiorentina, as a "great gesture".

On Sunday, the club president, Andrea Della Valle, stated that Astori was about to renew his contract. "Only the signature was missing," he said.

Astori, an Italian international, died on Sunday at the age of 31 in the hotel room of La di Moret in Udine, where his team was due to play a match for the 27th round of Serie A.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the death, but the prosecutor of Udine, Antonio De Nicolo, clarified that it is a routine procedure and that currently there is no reason to suspect anything suspicious.

An autopsy will be carried out on Tuesday and Astori's body will be transported to Florence the following day and taken to Italy's national training center on the outskirts of the city, where fans can bid farewell to him.

His funeral will take place on Thursday at the Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence.

Minute of Silence
UEFA announced on Monday that a minute of silence will be observed in Champions League and Europa League matches this week in memory of captain Davide Astori.

Three Italian clubs will be in action this week: Juventus will face Tottenham in the second leg of the Champions League on Wednesday, while Milan and Lazio will host Europa League matches on Thursday against Arsenal and Dynamo Kiev.

2011
Debut with Italy
Astori made his debut with Italy this year and participated in the Confederations Cup in Brazil in 2013, where he scored a goal. He leaves behind his wife, Francesca Fioretti, and a two-year-old daughter. (D)