SNS GroupDenmark midfielder Christian Eriksen received CPR on the pitch after collapsing during his country’s Euro 2020 game against Finland in Copenhagen.
Inter Milan player Eriksen dropped to the ground at the Parken Stadium shortly before half-time on Saturday, leaving players from both teams in clear distress.
English referee Anthony Taylor called medics on to the pitch and Eriksen underwent prolonged treatment.
A tweet from UEFA confirmed the Group B match had been suspended due to a medical emergency. UEFA later stated that the match would restart at 7.30pm “following the request made by players of both teams” after it was reported that Eriksen had “stabilised” in hospital.
Teammates formed a shield around the former Tottenham man after his collapse, while fans inside the stadium were clearly stunned by the incident.
Eriksen fell to the floor after rushing to receive a throw-in close to the corner flag deep in Finland’s half of the field.
The 29-year-old collapsed face first as the ball hit his knee, with nearby players immediately signalling for urgent medical assistance.
A medic was seen performing compressions on Eriksen’s chest.
The BBC, who were showing the game live, cut back to the studio where presenter Gary Lineker and pundits Cesc Fabregas, Alex Scott and Micah Richards all appeared in total shock.
Coverage of the match then ended as the decision to halt play was made.
UEFA later confirmed Eriksen had been transferred to hospital and stabilised, while the Danish football association said the player was awake.
The governing body said further information on the situation would be communicated at 6.45pm UK time.
“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,” read the UEFA tweet.
“The player has been transferred to the hospital and has been stabilised.”
Tottenham, who Eriksen played for between 2013 and 2020 before moving to Italy, were among those to show support for the player on social media.
“All of our thoughts are with Christian Eriksen and his family,” read a tweet from the London club.
After announcing the game would restart, UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said: “Moments like this put everything in life into perspective.
“I wish Christian a full and speedy recovery and pray his family has strength and faith.
“At these times, the unity of the football family is so strong and he and his family carry with them the good wishes and prayers of everyone.
“I heard of fans of both teams chanting his name. Football is beautiful and Christian plays it beautifully.”
A spokesperson for the BBC issued an apology after pictures of Eriksen were broadcast while he received treatment.
In a statement, the spokesperson said: “Everyone at the BBC is hoping Christian Eriksen makes a full recovery.
“We apologise to anyone who was upset by the images broadcast.
“In-stadium coverage is controlled by UEFA as the host broadcaster, and as soon as the match was suspended, we took our coverage off air as quickly as possible.”
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