Denmark boss upset at UEFA protocols after Eriksen shock
BRISTOL CITY FORWARD DELIGHTED TO BE GIVEN NEW THREE-YEAR CONTRACT AFTER SERIOUS KNEE INJURY
DENMARK boss Kasper Hjulmand has criticised the UEFA protocols which allow a match to be postponed for 48 hours due to coronavirus but not when his player Christian Eriksen had a cardiac arrest on the pitch.
Eriksen, pictured, who took to Instagram yesterday to insist he was “fine, under the circumstances”, collapsed shortly before half-time in Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener against Finland on Saturday and had to be resuscitated before being taken to hospital.
The match was suspended for about 90 minutes before Denmark were then given the choice to continue playing the game or to return the following day to complete it. After being reassured Eriksen’s condition had improved, the players went back out and ended up losing 1-0.
“Coronavirus allows you to postpone a match for 48 hours. A cardiac arrest obviously does not. That, I think, is wrong,” Hjulmand told a press conference yesterday.
“There is learning here. It was not the right decision to continue playing. The boys showed so much strength by going out and playing on.
“But I do not think it was the right thing to give us and the players the choice to go out and finish play on Saturday or Sunday.
“I felt that the players - and us close to them - were put under that pressure and were given that dilemma. It was a hugely difficult situation to be in.
“The only real leadership would have been to put the players on a bus and send them home and then deal with it after.
“You don’t necessarily find good leadership in the protocols. Good leadership can sometimes be to lead with compassion.”
Eriksen posted an image yesterdy morning from his hospital bed, giving a thumbs up.
“Big thanks for your sweet and amazing greetings and messages from all around the world. It means a lot to me and my family,” he wrote on Instagram.
“I’m fine - under the circumstances. I still have to go through some examinations at the hospital, but I feel okay.
“Now, I will cheer on the boys on the Denmark team in the next matches. Play for all of Denmark. Best, Christian.”
Denmark return to the Parken Stadium - the scene of Eriksen’s collapse - tomorrow for their second group match against Belgium.
Hjulmand is confident his players will be able to perform but acknowledged the situation would be far from normal.
BRISTOL City manager Nigel Pearson has explained why the Robins have handed a new long-term deal to forward Andi Weimann.
City confirmed yesterday that the 29-year-old has agreed a fresh three-year contract with the Robins, with Stoke City and Birmingham City also reported to have been interested in the utility attacker.
The Bristol Post understands the late offer of a three-year contract was pivotal in tying down the striker at Ashton Gate, and City can now build with Weimann on board following the release of 11 players at the end of last season.
Weimann missed much of the 2020-21 campaign following an anterior cruciate ligament injury, but he is now back to full fitness, and having been training at the Failand training ground for some time under the watchful eyes of Pearson, all looks good for the new campaign.
Pearson confirmed there had been interest from elsewhere as he gave his reaction to the news.
“We are delighted Andi has signed a new deal, especially as there was interest from other clubs,” the City manager said.
“He was unfortunate to sustain such a significant injury last season, but he has worked extremely hard on his rehab to get back to full fitness and he deserves this.
“He is an experienced professional, we know what he offers to the team and his aggressive, dynamic style of play is exactly what I want in players. I am looking forward to working with him again.”
Since signing for the Robins in 2018, Weimann has featured 101 times in all competitions, with 21 goals - scoring twice in seven
appearances last campaign. He has previously played for Aston Villa, Watford, Derby and Wolves.
Weimann’s versatility will certainly be an asset for Pearson and the senior forward made 43 appearances, predominantly in a wide-position at Derby, where he scored five goals. Last season he played behind a front two in a 3-5-2 system.
“I’m delighted and I can’t wait to get started again,” Weimann said.
“I missed most of last season through injury so for the gaffer and club to show their faith in me with a three-year deal was a big pull.
“The manager from the first day he came in said he wanted to work with me, and he hoped I could stay. We had a few phone calls in the last few weeks, and he’s shown me that belief and the contract length proves that - hopefully I can repay that to him.
“I never wanted to leave in the first place. Since I signed threeyears ago I’ve loved it here. Obviously until I got injured, I’ve played pretty much every game and it feels like my home and I get along with everyone in and around the club.
“I can’t wait (to play in front of the fans). It’s been a year and a half now that we’ve not had fans in the stadium. It shows how good the support is if we have sold over 12,000 season cards, especially as we didn’t have the best season last year, but we can’t wait to see them.”
I missed most of last season through injury so for the gaffer and club to show their faith in me with a three-year deal was a big pull