On Saturday, AS Roma announced the mutual termination of midfielder Eduardo Boffi's contract, more than a year after the tragic incident in which he suffered a heart attack during a football match on December 1, 2024. This move is a necessary step to enable the player to resume his professional career outside of Italy, with reports strongly suggesting a move to English football.
In an official statement, the capital club said: "AS Roma announces that it has mutually terminated the contract that bound it to Edoardo Boffi." The statement continued, in a tone full of emotion and support: "Today begins a new chapter in his career. Dan and Ryan Friedkin (the American owners) wish him all the best and are delighted that he will be able to continue playing and fulfill his dream on the football pitch.".
Strict Italian laws and the obstacle of returning
Bovi, 23, faces a legal and medical obstacle preventing him from playing football in Italy: the strict sports regulations adopted by the Italian Olympic Committee and the Italian Football Federation. These regulations categorically prohibit granting sporting licenses to any player, professional or amateur, with an implanted defibrillator (ICD), in order to ensure player safety and avoid any potential risks arising from strong physical contact.
A new destination following in Eriksen's footsteps
According to Italian media reports, Bovi, a product of Roma's youth academy who made 92 appearances for the club, scoring four goals, is preparing to embark on a new chapter in his career by transferring to Watford in the English Championship. England is considered a more medically flexible environment for players with similar heart conditions, as regulations there allow them to play with a pacemaker after passing thorough medical examinations.
With his potential move to England, Buffy is following in the footsteps of Danish star Christian Eriksen, whose return to the pitch offered a glimmer of hope to many players. Eriksen suffered a heart attack during the opening match of Euro 2021 and was forced to terminate his contract with Inter Milan due to similar Italian regulations, before shining again in the English Premier League with Brentford and Manchester United.
Recalling moments of terror and hope
The details of the crisis date back to the 16th minute of Fiorentina's match (where Bovi was on loan) against Inter Milan in the Italian league, when the player collapsed unconscious amidst the shock and disbelief of the players and fans at the Artemio Franchi stadium. He was immediately transferred to a hospital in Florence, where he spent 13 days in intensive care before receiving a medical device. This marked the beginning of his long recovery journey, which today culminated in a new opportunity to return to the pitch, but in a new jersey and in a different league.
