An Italian Oasis fan died in his Edinburgh hotel room just hours before he was due to see the band perform at Murrayfield Stadium, prompting an outpouring of tributes from his hometown.
Alessandro Croce, 30, from Teramo in Italy, had flown to Scotland specifically for Liam and Noel Gallagher’s second Murrayfield show on Saturday, 9 August, as part of the Oasis Live ’25 reunion tour. The dentist was taken ill at his hotel shortly before the concert and, despite desperate efforts from friends and emergency crews, could not be saved.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through his hometown of Teramo in the Abruzzo region, where Croce was well-known both as a dental professional and a passionate basketball player who had dedicated years to his local team.
Community in Mourning
Mayor of Teramo Gianguido D’Alberto led the tributes, stating: “The city of Teramo is united in grief over the loss of Alessandro Croce. I offer the Croce family the condolences and closeness of the municipal administration and the whole community in this difficult time.”
Basketball Teramo, where Croce had been a cornerstone player for six seasons, shared an emotional statement on Facebook describing themselves as “literally shocked and gripped with deep and inconceivable sorrow.”
“Alessandro has not only been a pillar of our team, but an integral part of our history and the heart of our association,” the club stated. “Grown up in our ranks, played on our team for as many as 6 seasons, was our first captain in 2012 and 2013; dedicated his life to his passion for basketball, becoming an example of dedication, loyalty and sportsmanship to us all.”
Academic and Professional Achievements
Alessandro’s former university, Università degli Studi “Gabriele d’Annunzio”, also paid tribute to their alumnus. In a Facebook post, they wrote: “The Rector and the entire academic community of the University of ‘Gabriele d’Annunzio’ express their deep sorrow for the premature demise of the major Alessandro Croce. In this very sad moment, the Ateneo is holding its family, sending their deepest condolences and showing its closeness.”
The mayor of nearby Bellante, Giovanni Melchiorre, described the young man as a “valuable basketball player of Monstars Bellante,” adding that his sudden death “leaves us stunned and saddens us.
Basketball Legacy
Nuovo Basket Aquilano, another club Croce had represented, revealed he had travelled to Scotland alongside his sister Giulia to attend the concert of the band “that he loved.” They remembered him as “a wonderful boy” who had moved from Teramo to attend university before following in his father’s footsteps to become a dentist.
“He became a beniamon of all, loved for his untamed character on the field, for his smile and for his absolute manners,” the club stated. They particularly highlighted his role in their “unforgettable senior season” when the team stunned opponents by reaching the playoffs despite being underdogs.
Basketball Teramo emphasised the lasting impact of his absence: “His absence will leave an indelible void in all of us, not only on the playing field but especially in our hearts. His memory and smile will live on forever in every game, every practice and every basket.”
Personal Tributes
Social media has been flooded with personal tributes from those who knew Alessandro. One friend wrote: “Honoured to have met Alessandro, after a few months his empathy, sensitivity and kindness are already evident… Values of other times. A great loss for the world. Rest In Peace.”
Another posted: “R.I.P. Alessandro, wonderful boy. We will miss you a lot. It was always a pleasure to talk and compete with you. Condolences to the whole family. Goodbye, great doctor. I love you.”
Second Tragedy on Tour
The incident marks the second death of an Oasis fan during the reunion tour. Almost two weeks earlier, Lee Claydon from Bournemouth fell to his death from the upper-tier balcony at Wembley Stadium during the band’s gig on 2 August. The father-of-one died at the scene despite medics battling to save his life.
Following that tragedy, Liam and Noel Gallagher issued a statement saying they were “shocked and saddened” by the incident.
Repatriation Plans
It is understood that Alessandro’s family members have arrived in Edinburgh to arrange the repatriation of his body to Italy. The young dentist’s death has cast a shadow over what should have been a celebration of the Gallagher brothers’ reunion after years of acrimony.
The Oasis Live ’25 tour has seen more than 200,000 fans attend the three sold-out shows at Murrayfield Stadium, with the band playing on Friday 8, Saturday 9, and Tuesday 12 August. Hundreds more gathered outside the venue each night to listen to the greatest hits set, making the tragedy all the more poignant given Alessandro’s anticipation for the event.
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