Danish boss slams UEFA match rules

DENMARK boss Kasper Hjulmand has criticised 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, who insisted yesterday 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 but ended up losing 1-0.

Hjulmand said: “Coronavirus allows you to postpone a match for 48 hours. A cardiac arrest does not. That, I think, is wrong.

“It was not the right decision to continue playing. The boys showed so much strength by going out and playing on.

“I do not think it was the right thing to give us and the players the choice to go out and finish playing on Saturday or Sunday.

“I felt 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 afterwards.

“You don’t necessarily find good leadership in the protocols.

“Good leadership can sometimes be to lead with compassion.”

Eriksen posted an image on Tuesday morning from his hospital bed, giving a thumbs-up.

He said: “Big thanks for your sweet and amazing greetings and messages from all around the world.

“It means a lot to me and my family.

“I am fine - under the circumstances. I still have to go through examinations at the hospital but I feel okay.”

Denmark return to the Parken Stadium - the scene of Eriksen’s collapse - on Thursday 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.

He said: “I don’t think they are afraid to play but the normal reaction to a trauma like this, you should know, it is not only yourself.

“It is also your family, maybe your kids, your wife, your parents. So the box of emotions has been opened.

“Of course the time until the kick-off will be emotional and we have to prepare ourselves for that, for entering the stadium again.”