The 40-year-old retired rugby league star, from Manchester, was reportedly found dead in his room at the four-star Continentale hotel on Saturday morning after staff alerted police.
He is said to have arrived on Friday with a 43-year-old woman, believed to be his partner, who is being treated at the city’s Careggi hospital after she was found next to him with serious injuries.
Italian newspaper La Nazione said the man found dead was Mr Bibey, who has played for teams such as St Helens, Wigan Warriors, Wakefield Trinity and Leigh Centurions.
His former clubs and teammates paid tribute to him on Sunday, with rugby star Leon Pryce on Twitter: “Sincere condolences to Ricky’s family. We played against each other since we were about 14 years old.
“Yorkshire vs Lancashire & Together for England Schools Boys U16’s. A great boy. Absolutely devastating news. RIP Ricky.”
Leigh Centurions wrote that the team was “desperately saddened” to learn of Mr Bibey’s passing while he was “on holiday in Italy”.
He added: “Everyone at the club is extending sincere condolences to their family and friends at this time.”
Ricky Bibey, who pushed Hull’s Nick Pinkey away while playing for Leigh Centurions, has died in Florence. according to reports in Italian media (PA)
/ PA archiveWakefield Trinity wrote: “Trinity is saddened to hear of the passing of former prop forward Ricky Bibey, aged 40.
“Ricky played for Trinity between 2007 and 2009 and played 60 games. We extend our condolences to Ricky’s family and friends at this difficult time.”
Mr Bibey was a professional rugby player for over ten years until he retired in 2012 due to an Achilles tendon injury.
When he retired, Leigh Centurions said: “He is a big loss for us both on the pitch and at the club. Ricky has had a fantastic career and he has been a very good professional.”
Mr Bibey is said to have worked as a real estate agent in the years following his retirement and previously ran a development company.
When approached, Florence police and hotel staff were unable to provide any information about the incident.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has not confirmed the man’s identity.
An FCDO spokesperson said on Saturday: “We are in contact with Italian police following the death of a British man in Florence.”