HERO MEDICS A WAIT THAT
THE FOOTBALL world was last night praying for Denmark superstar Christian Eriksen after he collapsed during his country’s Euro 2020 opener with Finland.
In shocking scenes, the former Tottenham midfielder stumbled – with nobody around him – and hit the ground after 43 minutes of yesterday’s Group B game.
Paramedics raced onto the pitch in Copenhagen to treat Eriksen amid genuine fears his life was in danger.
English referee Anthony Taylor and all the players were distressed at the sight of Eriksen, who now plays for Inter Milan, lying motionless.
The game, which was goalless at the time, was initially halted as he was carried off after the medics had given him CPR.
Pictures of Eriksen seemingly conscious while being taken off later emerged to give everyone hope that he was no longer facing a fight for his life.
A UEFA statement also confirmed his condition had ‘stablised’ in hospital and that both sides had agreed to finish the match.
Gary Lineker, presenting the BBC’S live TV coverage, spoke for the entire football family as he said: “Football doesn’t matter at the moment, it really doesn’t. It’s truly put into perspective.
“That’s the one of the most distressing scenes I’ve ever seen at any football match.
Christian Eriksen falling to the ground, his team-mates surrounding him clearly distraught.
“We’ve seen it a couple of times and he was just running towards the ball and stumbled.the crowd are in shock as well. Everybody’s in shock in the football world.”
Yesterday’s incident revived horror memories of when Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba collapsed in identical fashion at White Hart Lane during an FA Cup tie with Spurs back in 2012.
Muamba received lifesaving treatment on the pitch and eventually made a full recovery – but his playing days were over.
He sent a personal message of support via Twitter. His short, simple post read: “Please God.”
Meanwhile, Lineker went on: “The only thing I can think of remotely like that was Fabrice. He pulled through – let’s hope Christian pulls through as well. It’s so distressing.”
Fellow BBC pundits Micah Richards and Alex Scott expressed the same feelings.
Richards added: “One thing you have to have is hope.you’ve seen it with Fabrice, he pulled through.
England, who face Croatia today, immediately canceled their pre-match press conference with boss Gareth Southgate and Eriksen’s former Spurs team-mate, Harry Kane.