British retired rugby league player Ricky Bibey found dead at Florence hotel - Italian media reports
Former British rugby league player Ricky Bibey has been found dead at a four-star hotel in Florence, according to Italian media reports.
The 40-year-old retired prop forward, from Manchester, was reportedly found dead in his room at the Hotel Continentale on Saturday morning after staff alerted the police.
Mr Bibey was said to have arrived on Friday with a 43-year-old woman, thought to be his partner, who is being treated at the city's Careggi hospital after she was found alongside him with serious injuries.
Local police and forensic teams were seen at the luxury hotel, which is located a short walk away from the city's famous Florence Cathedral.
Local newspaper La Nazione reports that screams were heard coming from their room, causing staff to raise the alarm.
UK media reports said earlier that an unnamed British man had been found dead in a hotel in Florence.
La Nazione has since reported that the man who was found dead was Bibey, who played for teams including Leigh Centurions, St Helens, Wigan Warriors and Wakefield Trinity.
Leigh Centurions posted on Twitter to say the club was "desperately sad" to hear Bibey had died "while on holiday in Italy".
St Helens posted: "We are saddened to hear of the passing of former Saint Ricky Bibey. Ricky played 21 times for us and was part of the 2004 @TheChallengeCup winning squad that defeated Wigan. All our thoughts are with Ricky's friends and family at this terrible time."
Former rugby league player Leon Pryce tweeted: "Sincere condolences to Ricky's family. We played against each other since the age of about 14.
"Yorkshire vs Lancashire & together for England schools boys U16's. A great lad. Absolutely devastating news. RIP Ricky."
Wakefield Trinity wrote: "Trinity are saddened to hear of the passing of former prop-forward Ricky Bibey, aged 40. Ricky played for Trinity between 2007 and 2009, making 60 appearances.
"We send our condolences to Ricky's family and friends at this tough time."
Bibey was a professional rugby league player for more than a decade until he retired in 2012 due to an Achilles tendon injury.
He is reported to have worked as an estate agent in the years following his retirement.
The identity of the man who died in Florence has not yet been confirmed by the UK Foreign Office.
A spokesperson told Sky News: "We are in touch with the Italian police following the death of a British man in Florence."
