Fiorentina issue health update on director Joe Barone after emergency postpones Serie A match

Fiorentina’s Serie A clash with Atalanta was postponed after Fiorentina director Joe Barone was rushed to hospital.

The teams were set to clash at 5pm UK time on Sunday, but this fixture will now be played at a later date.

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A Serie A statement read: “The Atalanta vs Fiorentina match, scheduled for today 17 March 2024 at 18:00 CET, has been postponed to a later date.”

It was widely reported that Barone was rushed to hospital with a ‘serious’ and ‘sudden’ illness.

Fiorentina later confirmed that Barone was receiving treatment at the cardiac intensive unit at the San Raffaele Hospital in Milan where he’s in a critical but stable condition.

A statement from the club read: “ACF Fiorentina can confirm that Joe Barone is currently hospitalized at the cardiac intensive care unit at San Raffaele Hospital in Milan directed by Prof Alberto Zangrillo.

“His condition remains critical but stable. Barone is currently receiving the most advanced treatment in cardiac function and support. Another update will be published tomorrow.”

Barone, who turns 58 on Wednesday, took the role of Fiorentina director in November 2019, and works closely with president Rocco Commisso.

Fiorentina’s last match saw them overcome Israeli side Maccabi Haifa in their Europa Conference League last-16 tie.

The Florence-based club are going for Conference League glory for a second straight season having lost last term’s final to West Ham.

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Atalanta and Fiorentina are both vying for a European football spot with the home side in sixth, one point behind fifth-placed Roma, who occupy the final Europa League spot.

Meanwhile, Fiorentina are eighth, four points behind Atalanta.