Euro 2020: Danish player Christian Eriksen 'awake and stable' in hospital after collapsing on pitch

Denmark's Christian Eriksen receives medical treatment after collapsing during the Euro game against Finland Credit: AP

Danish player Christian Eriksen is awake and in a stable condition in hospital after he collapsed on pitch during a Euro 2020 game against Finland.

The 29-year-old received CPR after he dropped to the ground at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen shortly before half-time, leaving players from both teams in clear distress.

The Danish Football Association confirmed that Eriksen is "awake and his condition remains stable" but he will receive further examinations in hospital.

Denmark head coach Kasper Hjulmand was in tears at the post-match press conference, admitting it had been a traumatic experience for everyone.

He said: “It was a really tough evening, on which we’ve all been reminded what the most important things in life are. It’s meaningful relationships. It’s those people who are close to us. It’s family and friends.

“Everything, everything, everything – all thoughts are with Christian and his family.”

After the match had initially been suspended following the incident, the Denmark players decided they were happy to continue having received encouraging news about Eriksen’s condition.

And although they were beaten 1-0 by their Nordic rivals, Hjulmand said: “I could not be more proud of this team, who take good care of each other.

“There are players in there who are completely emotionally finished. Players who on another day could not have played this match. They are holding each other. It was a traumatic experience.”

Denmark's Christian Eriksen receives medical treatment on the pitch during the Euro game. Credit: AP

Gary Lineker, who was presenting the match on BBC One, sent a message of support on Twitter, which read: “In 25 years of doing this job, that was the most difficult, distressing and emotional broadcast I’ve ever been involved with.

“Thanks to (pundits in the studio) Cesc Fabregas, Alex Scott and Micah Richards for your professionalism, warmth and empathy.

“Get well soon, Christian Eriksen.”

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sent a message of support for Eriksen.

They posted on Twitter: “Encouraging news about Christian Eriksen, we are all thinking about him and his family.

“Well done to the medical team and Anthony Taylor for their calm and swift action. W.”

Finland, Denmark’s opponents, wrote on Twitter: “The thoughts of the Finnish men’s national team, the Finnish Football Association and the Finnish football family are with Eriksen, his relatives and the Danish team.”

England posted a message of support for Eriksen on Twitter.

A message from Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate read: “We are encouraged by the update from Denmark this evening.

“On behalf of The FA, our players and staff, we send our very best wishes to Christian and those close to him.”

While UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin added: “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.”

The game between Denmark and Finland had been postponed after Eriksen collapsed, but it resumed at 7.30pm BST.

Uefa confirmed the last four minutes of the first half will be played and there will then be a five-minute half-time break followed by the second half.The BBC coverage of the game stopped and the schedule moved to non-football shows after Eriksen collapsed but the broadcaster has apologised after it received complaints that it continued to broadcast as the player received treatment.

“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," the BBC said.

Denmark fans were in shock as Christian Eriksen receives medical attention after collapsing during a Euro game. Credit: AP

English referee Anthony Taylor called medics on to the pitch and Eriksen underwent prolonged treatment.

Team-mates formed a shield around the Inter Milan player, while fans inside the stadium were clearly stunned by the incident, with some pictured in tears.

Dozens of footballers took to social media to express their support for the Danish footballer when he collapsed on pitch, including Fabrice Muamba, the former Bolton midfielder who collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest during a televised FA Cup game in 2012.

Muamba tweeted: "Please God."

Jesse Lingard wrote: "Thoughts and prayers go out to Christian Eriksen and his family praying everything is ok."

While Marcus Rashford also tweeted his support, with the Danish flag and the praying hands emoji.

Christian Eriksen’s former club, Tottenham, tweeted: “All of our thoughts are with Christian Eriksen and his family.”

Eriksen left Tottenham for Inter Milan in 2020 after seven years with the club.