Football stunned as Denmark star Christian Eriksen collapses during Euro 2020 game against Finland
Denmark star Christian Eriksen in ‘stable condition’ in hospital after collapsing during Euro 2020 game and needing CPR on the pitch as distraught team-mates formed protective barrier around stricken former Tottenham star
- Christian Eriksen suddenly fell to the ground near the end of the first half during his side’s clash with Finland
- Eriksen was given CPR by frantic medics who sprinted onto the pitch at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen
- Player was then carried off the pitch in a moving stretcher while receiving oxygen shortly after 6pm
- Pictures showed Eriksen sitting up on the stretcher with his eyes open as he was carried away this evening
- Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here.
Denmark star Christian Eriksen has been rushed to hospital after collapsing on the pitch mid-game – as distressing footage shows medics giving him CPR.
The 29-year-old Inter Milan midfielder suddenly fell to the ground near the end of the first half during his side’s clash with Finland at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen.
Eriksen – a former-Tottenham player – was given CPR by frantic medics who sprinted onto the pitch as his sobbing teammates formed a protective barrier around him.
The player was then carried off the pitch in a stretcher while receiving oxygen shortly after 6pm – as medics held up white sheets to shield him from prying eyes.
Pictures later showed Eriksen sitting up on the stretcher with his eyes open – as UEFA confirmed he ‘has been stabilised’ in hospital.
And the Danish Football Union confirmed their star player ‘is awake’ and awaits further tests at hospital.
The match was postponed but is set to resume around 7.30pm UK time, the Danish FU confirmed.
Warning: the following images may be distressing for some readers
Denmark star Christian Eriksen has been rushed to hospital after collapsing on the pitch mid-game – as distressing footage shows medics giving him CPR
Pictures showed Eriksen sitting up on the stretcher with his eyes open as he was carried away this evening
Eriksen’s wife Sabrina Kvist was seen in floods of tears and was consoled by Denmark players as she rushed on to the Copenhagen pitch
Eriksen was seen taken off the pitch wearing oxygen and supported by urgent medical staff
A statement posted to UEFA’s official Twitter account read: ‘Following the medical emergency involving Denmark’s player Christian Eriksen, a crisis meeting has taken place with both teams and match officials and further information will be communicated at 19:45 CET’
And the Danish Football Union confirmed their star player ‘is awake’ and awaits further tests at hospital
The match was postponed but is set to resume around 7.30pm UK time, the Danish FU confirmed
A statement posted to UEFA’s official Twitter account read: ‘Following the medical emergency involving Denmark’s player Christian Eriksen, a crisis meeting has taken place with both teams and match officials and further information will be communicated at 19:45 CET.
‘The player has been transferred to the hospital and has been stabilised.’
English referee Anthony Taylor looked shocked following the incident, with players seen crying and holding their hands to their head in despair.
The midfielder’s wife – Sabrina Kvist – was seen crying on the touchline as she rushed down to the pitch along with several other Danish supporters inside the stadium.
Danish supporters were also seen in tears while Eriksen was receiving urgent treatment. The match in Copenhagen was postponed just after 6pm.
Countless fans and fellow players rushed to Twitter to share their words of encouragement to Eriksen, as the player remains stable in hospital.
Former Chelsea star Didier Drogba wrote: ‘Fight for your life Eriksen, we pray for you.’
Fabrice Muamba, who collapsed on the pitch at White Hart Lane while playing for Bolton against Tottenham in 2012, tweeted: ‘Please God’.
Eriksen’s former team Tottenham wrote: ‘All of our thoughts are with Christian Eriksen and his family.’
England winger Jadon Sancho wrote: My prayers go out to’ followed by the Danish flag, a broken heart and a praying emoji.
Cesc Fabregas, who was covering the game as a pundit, tweeted four praying emojis while Gary Lineker tweeted: ‘Goodness me, this looks truly awful.’
Pundit Micah Richards wrote: ‘Praying for you Christian Eriksen’ and Dutch midfielder Marten de Roon added: ‘This is heartbreaking to see. Also please stop sharing videos of Christian or his girlfriend and cut off the cameras.’
Former Germany midfielder Mesut Ozil wrote: ‘Shocked. We’re all with you, Christian Eriksen. Please be ok.’
Jesse Lingard wrote: ‘Thoughts and prayers go out to Christian Eriksen and his family. Praying everything is ok’.
Other players posting similar tweets for the Denmark midfielder included former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher and Manchester United’s former right-back Gary Neville as well as current England and Aston Villa forward Jack Grealish.
UK Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden was among those who posted online about the ‘awful scenes’ witnessed at the match in Copenhagen.
Writing on Twitter shortly after the incident Mr Dowden said: ‘Awful scenes at Denmark v Finland Euros game. Thoughts with Christian Eriksen and his family.’
David Lammy, the Labour MP for Tottenham and shadow justice secretary, tweeted: ‘Prayers and thoughts for Danish and Spurs Legend Christian Eriksen. ‘We are all rooting for you brother.’
London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: ‘Deeply upsetting scenes in Copenhagen. ‘My thoughts right now are with Christian Eriksen, his family, and everyone in Denmark and around the world praying for his recovery.’
BBC coverage of the match saw pundit Alex Scott reduced to tears after Eriksen‘s collapse on the pitch.
And when cameras cut to the BBC studio containing Scott, Cesc Fabregas, Micah Richards and host Gary Lineker, the former England women’s footballer was clearly emotional.
She told the studio: ‘I’m already getting emotional, I cant believe what we’re witnessing. Football goes totally out of the window.
Player held their hands to their heads, with some bowing down in shock as Eriksen received treatment
Players rushed to Eriksen’s aid after he collapsed on the pitch. They raised their hands in the air to call for help
Medics quickly attended to the player as scared teammates and devastated fans watched on
Medics quickly rushed to Eriksen’s aid tonight. Players stood near him shocked fans watched on
English referee Anthony Taylor (middle) called off the match just after 6pm
‘You’re thinking about his family, all the rest of the players that are out there witnessing it as well. I actually just got on my phone and told my mother I love her. I think it’s a reminder how quickly life can change. Just like that.’
Current professional footballer Fabregas was also visibly shocked and claimed that everything has been put into perspective as a result of the incident.
Fabregas said: ‘I don’t really know what to say really. My body is shaking. All I can think about is Christian’s family, what they must be going through and I pray for the very best.
‘How many times do I go home and I’m upset and I fight with my family and loved ones? You realise it’s just a game. We need to enioy it every second and have passion and enjoy it but really there are things that don’t matter anymore.
‘The most important thing is health. Just try to be always happy and enjoy what you have in life and how blessed we are and that’s it. It’s just a big shock for all of us.’
The BBC faced widespread criticism for not cutting away sooner after the collapse
While Eriksen’s Denmark team-mates formed a ring around the player while he appeared to be receiving CPR, the BBC continued to broadcast the distressing scene while also showing the player’s wife on the sidelines.
Ian Wright was among those to voice their shock that the broadcaster failed to cut away for so long.
He tweeted: ‘CUT TO THE STUDIO FFS!!!!’
Jermaine Beckford added: ‘This needs to cut to the studio now!’
‘Christian Eriksen This is not good for the viewing public just go back to the studio just think of who is watching come on BBC,’ tweeted Frank Bruno.
Stephen Humphrys, a forward for League One side Rochdale, also hailed the unity of the Danish players and their immediate reaction.
‘Danish players guarding their teammate from the cameras is one of the best symbols of unity I’ve ever seen,’ Humphrys’ posted.
‘Huge respect. On the other hand, they shouldn’t have had to do it but unfortunately the media have no boundaries these days.’
Spencer Owen was also critical of the decision to show Eriksen’s girlfriend as part of the coverage.
He tweeted: ‘It must have been very difficult to know what to do from a broadcasting perspective as the Eriksen situation developed, but I can’t get my head around the fact that a director must have said ‘right now cut to his wife.’
‘There’s no other way that shot happens surely? Sickening.’
Will Euro 2020 continue? Shocking scenes in Denmark leave tournament stunned as Christian Eriksen requires CPR on the pitch after collapsing in group clash with Finland
By Adam Shergold for MailOnline
The world of football was left traumatised after Denmark star Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch during their Euro 2020 fixture with Finland in Copenhagen.
Saturday night’s match at the Parken Stadium was suspended, with UEFA announcing that Eriksen has been stabilised and transferred to the hospital after doctors performed CPR on him.
Photographs showed Eriksen apparently conscious and sitting up as he was transported off the field on a rolling stretcher.
A statement by the Danish Football Association confirmed Eriksen is awake and waiting for further tests in hospital.
But what implications will this have on Euro 2020 going forward?
Saturday’s Belgium vs Russia match
The other Group B fixture between Belgium and Russia, to be played in Saint Petersburg at 8pm UK time, is expected to go ahead as planned.
The team line-ups for this match were published on the UEFA website on time one hour and 20 minutes before the 8pm kick-off.
Finishing the Denmark vs Finland game
The match was only suspended but is highly unlikely to be finished on Saturday evening with the players of both sides highly distressed.
UEFA will have to fit a new date for the match to be completed into the schedule which will have a knock on effect on the tournament.
This is a very tight tournament, lasting essentially a month, but for the integrity of the competition, the game will have to be completed.
Finland are due to play Russia on Wednesday next week, while Denmark take on Belgium on Thursday.
The rearranged game could be fitted in prior to that, kicking off maybe ahead of the other scheduled fixtures on that day but it will depend on further developments with Eriksen and the mindset of the players.
England media duties
An England press conference at which manager Gareth Southgate and captain Harry Kane were due to appear to preview Sunday’s match against Croatia has been cancelled.
This was due to have taken place at 6.30pm. England’s Twitter account sent their best wishes to Eriksen and his family.
Kane is a former team-mate of Eriksen from the Dane’s time as a Tottenham player.
