Investigation opened into the sudden death of Astori

Italy was in shock following the sudden death of the Fiorentina captain who made 14 appearances for his country. 

"We have opened a manslaughter investigation, against X for the moment," Antonio de Nicolo, a magistrate in the northeastern city of Udine, told Rai radio, adding that such a procedure was "mandatory".

He also said arrangements were in place to perform an autopsy, which according to Italian media, including ''Gazzetta dello Sport'', will be done on Monday.

Astori was found dead in a hotel room on Sunday in Udine, where his team was due to play Udinese in a Serie A match.

De Nicolo was quoted Sunday as saying Astori died of "natural causes" after a "cardiac circulatory collapse" -- a type of heart attack.

All seven matches in Italy's top flight on Sunday were postponed following the news of Astori's death.