Denmark players were left in tears as one of their players, Christian Eriksen, collapses suddenly in the Euro 2020 fixture against Finland.
The Group B fixture ended up getting postponed after initially being halted just minutes before half time.
Referee Anthony Taylor immediately called for medical support and Eriksen received treatment on the field.
Following the request made by players of both teams, UEFA has agreed to restart the match between Denmark and Finland at 19:30 BST.
The last four minutes of the first half was played, then there was a 5-minute half-time break followed by the second half, with Finland winning 1-0 and Denmark missing a penalty.
A massive round of applause to Simon Kjaer as well, who before the medics arrived secured Eriksen’s neck and cleared his airways.
Could have saved his life there. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/oNcPPIween
— Watch LFC (@Watch_LFC) June 12, 2021
BBC Sport gave updates via their website on what happened and the aftermath: “This looks concerning. Christian Eriksen has just collapsed I think. Something is wrong. The physios rush on.
“Very concerning. I just saw a replay and Christian Eriksen collapsed as a throw-in was taken towards him.
“The players around him immediately called for the medical staff to come on and the referee blew the whistle to stop play.
“Some of Denmark’s players have their heads in their hands. Martin Braithwaite appears to be praying and Kasper Schmeichel is biting his hand.
“The medical staff appear to be performing CPR on Christian Eriksen.
“The Danish players all look distraught. They’re all standing around Christian Eriksen – looking away – so he can get this treatment in some privacy.
“Fans are in tears in the crowd.
🇫🇮 Finland fans: “Christian”
🇩🇰 Denmark fans: “Eriksen”Fans still inside the stadium are chanting @ChrisEriksen8’s name together. 🙏
pic.twitter.com/djUgg4pS1Q— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) June 12, 2021
“The Danish players are in tears. This is really tough to watch.
“We don’t know what’s happened really but he was being resuscitated a few minutes ago.
“The TV cameras aren’t showing that bit of the pitch now.
“There’s a lot of talk between the officials now.
“This is one of the worst things I’ve ever seen while watching football. We don’t know what’s happening with Christian Eriksen right now.
“The ball came towards Christian Eriksen – but after that, we don’t know what happened.
“They’ve brought what I think is Christian Eriksen’s wife down to the pitch.
“She’s being consoled by Denmark captain Simon Kjaer and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.
“The players are all walking off the pitch now to the tunnel.
“A curtain has been put up around Christian Eriksen now and BBC TV have cut away from the pitch and gone to the studio now where the pundits all seem in shock.
“We don’t know any more yet except that the game has been suspended because of a medical emergency to Christian Eriksen.”
The worrying moment reminded fans of when Fabrice Muamba collapsed on a pitch while playing for Bolton Wanderers in 2012.
He suffered a cardiac arrest and was “in effect dead” for 78 minutes, before then recovering but never played on.
Please God
— fabrice muamba (@fmuamba6) June 12, 2021
Alex Scott (Former England and Arsenal defender on BBC One): “I can’t believe what we are witnesing. Football goes out of the window. You are thinking about his family and the rest of the players. I just picked up the phone and text my mother to say I love her. It’s a reminder of how quickly things can change.
“All we can do is sit here and hope that he pulls through this. We need to keep sending prayers.”
Pat Nevin (Former Chelsea and Scotland winger on BBC Radio 5 Live): “The fans are in shock – everyone in the stadium definitely is. I don’t think many people have left. They are just sitting there, not knowing what to do. Everybody is in shock.
“He is such an incredibly loved player, and a fabulously talented player. We hope and pray for good news.”
UPDATE ON ERIKSEN:
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.
Christian Eriksen had a Facetime call with his teammates from the hospital and asked them to play the game tonight, as “he feels better now”.
The best picture you will see today, come on Christian Eriksen! #Euro2021 #DEN pic.twitter.com/CgZnGWCkxz
— Darren (@Darren94775262) June 12, 2021
The Danish FA have said that Christian Eriksen is thankfully awake and waiting more tests in hospital.
Word from the English FA is as follows: “Our thoughts this evening are with Christian Eriksen and his family, and all connected with the Danish Football Union.”
England have cancelled their media activities and press conference.
The other Euro 2020 game on Saturday night, Belgium v Russia, went ahead with Belgium winning that was with a comfortable 3-0 victory.
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