Roma ruled out on Monday heart problems for Evan Ndicka whose on-pitch collapse caused play at his team’s Serie A match at Udinese to be abandoned.
The Ivory Coast defender dropped to the ground in the 70th minute at the Bluenergy Stadium and was stretchered off, before referee Luca Pairetto stopped play following discussions with Roma coach Daniele De Rossi and his Udinese counterpart Gabriele Cioffi.
Ndicka was later pictured smiling and flexing his right bicep while sat upright in a bed at the Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital in Udine.
“Cardiological tests were administered that were negative for cardiac pathologies,” said Roma in a statement.
“In light of the last tests undergone this morning, the medical situation is compatible with a thoracic (spinal) trauma with minimal left pneumothorax (trapped air between the lung and chest wall).”
Serie A confirmed to AFP on Sunday that the final minutes of the match, which was suspended with the two teams level at 1-1, will be played at a later date, yet to be confirmed.
Roma are fifth in Serie A and in with a good chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League, while Udinese are 15th and one point above the relegation zone.
