Former professional rugby player Ricky Bibiy, 40, was found dead outside a four-star hotel in Florence, Italy, according to local newspapers. Countryreproduced by, among others, the BBC, The Guardian and Sky News.

The Englishman is said to have been found dead outside the hotel by hotel staff, as he lay beside a seriously injured woman.

According to the woman, BBC became Bibiy’s life partner and was being treated in a hospital in Florence.

Local newspaper La Nazione reported that screams were heard from their room, which it said prompted hotel staff to sound the alarm.

British media reported yesterday that an unnamed British man had been found dead in a hotel in Florence.

– Tragic

La Nazione later reported that the man found dead was Bibiy.

The 40-year-old played for the likes of Leigh Centurions, St Helens, Wigan Warriors and Wakefield Trinity.

– This is very tragic news. My thoughts, prayers and love go out to all of the Ricky family,” Leigh Centurions owner Derek Beaumont said in a statement. statement.

The identity of the man who died in Florence has not been confirmed by the British Foreign Office, but several of Bieber’s former clubs have issued public condolences.

St Helens, for whom Bibey also plays, wrote on Twitter:

– We are sad to hear about Bibiy’s passing. Ricky played 21 times for us and was part of TheChallengeCup winning team in 2004. All our thoughts are with Ricky’s friends and family.