13 Jun 2021

Denmark's Eriksen in hospital after collapsing at Euro 2020

6:46 am on 13 June 2021

Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed while playing and was given CPR by medics during his side's Euro 2020 match with Finland, and the game was suspended.

Christian Eriksen.

Christian Eriksen. Photo: All Rights Reserved

A Reuters photographer at the game saw Eriksen raise his hand as he was carried from the pitch on a stretcher, and the stadium announcer later told the crowd that he had been taken to the nearby Rigshospitalet.

The Danish DBU football association tweeted that the 29-year-old was "awake and at Rigshospitalet for further examinations".

The news that Eriksen had been taken to hospital was greeted by the crowd chanting his name. A decision about whether or not to restart the game will be announced at 1945 CET.

Eriksen collapsed suddenly in the 42nd minute of the match while running near the left touchline after a Denmark throw-in. Teammates Martin Braithwaite and Thomas Delaney rushed to assist him, with Delaney beckoning furiously for medical assistance.

As a hush fell over the 16,000-strong crowd, Eriksen's teammates formed a ring around him as medics pumped his chest just before halftime in their Group B clash.

Both teams subsequently left the field with officials holding up sheets to hide the stricken player from view, and the stadium announcer told fans that the game had been suspended due to a medical emergency and to stay in their seats.

The game was scoreless when Eriksen, who plays his club football for Inter Milan in Italy, collapsed.

The game was initially suspended but European football body UEFA announced it was to resume at 1830 GMT.

-Reuters