Calls for investment after Italy player's death

An Italian sports medicine specialist has called for more government investment to prevent athlete deaths, a day after a former Italy under-21 soccer player died after collapsing during a game.

Livorno midfielder Piermario Morosini died Saturday after suffering cardiac arrest on the field during his team's Serie B match at Pescara. He was 25.

The director of sporting medicine at the San Camillo di Roma hospital, told The Associated Press on Sunday that even though Morosini's death ''was totally unexpected'' and that professional athletes in Italy ''are safe,'' the government needs to put more money into ''focusing on prevention.''

The death comes less than a month after Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba survived a cardiac arrest on the field.