Italy footballer Piermario Morosini collapses in match

Ex-Italy under-21 footballer Piermario Morosini has collapsed on the pitch and has had a suspected heart attack.

The midfielder was playing for Livorno in the Serie B match at Pescara when he fell to the ground in the 31st minute.

A defibrillator was used on the pitch and Morosini, 25, was taken to hospital. The game was called off with other players in tears.

Last month Bolton's Fabrice Muamba was technically "dead" for 78 minutes after collapsing in an FA Cup tie.

The 24-year-old is now making "strong and steady improvements".

Morosini is on loan to Livorno from the Serie A club Udinese.

He collapsed face down and appeared to be in convulsion. The referee's assistant drew the referee's attention and he stopped the game.

The Ansa news agency said Morosini had suffered a heart attack in the ambulance.

He has been taken to Pescara's Santo Spirito hospital.