An autopsy will be held on Monday to determine the cause of death of Livorno midfielder Piermario Morosini, although initial theories blame a head injury possibly suffered when he and another player accidentally butted heads during a match.

The 25-year-old Livorno midfielder Morosini collapsed at the 31st minute of Saturday's Serie B game in Pescara.

"The initial cause to spark the cardiac arrest could be of another nature, for example neurological. Everything will be clarified in the autopsy," said Dr Paloscia of the Pescara hospital.

"It is possible the collapse was caused by an aneurysm [a swollen or even burst blood vessel, most often in the brain], especially as a few minutes before the incident he had accidentally clashed heads with Pescara player Emmanuel Cascione," he added.

Italy squad’s chief medic Professor Enrico Castellacci confirmed that Italy is at the forefront in taking care of their footballers after the industry saw demands for stricter tests on athletes.

"No, the tests are strict. Very strict..." said Castellacci. The tests that ensure the athletes are fit to play "are set by law and take place in official centres for sport medicine," Castellacci told the Gazzetta dello Sport.

"In fact, numerous transfers from overseas are blocked precisely by these tests. In other leagues, players are allowed to continue when they would be stopped in Italy."

President of the Federation of World Sport Medicine Fabio Pigozzi, agreed Italian rules provide more protection than in other countries.

"In Italy the laws are at the vanguard and we try to minimise the risks, but it is impossible to make that risk zero. We must never lower our guard," Pigozzi told the Corriere dello Sport.

The Italian Football Federation announced Saturday that all weekend football in Italy has been called off following the death of Livorno midfielder Piermario Morosini.

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