The medical staff who saved Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen’s life at Euro 2020 are set to receive the UEFA President’s Award, Europe’s football governing body said yesterday.
Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s opening defeat by Finland in June and received life-saving treatment on the pitch before he was rushed to hospital.
Denmark’s doctor and physio as well as team captain Simon Kjaer, who started CPR on Eriksen, are also being honoured.
“This year, the President’s Award transcends football,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said in a statement.
“It serves as an important and eternal reminder of just how precious life is and puts everything in our lives into the clearest perspective.”
Eriksen has since had a type of pacemaker implanted that can prevent fatal cardiac arrests by discharging a jolt to restore a regular heart rhythm.
However, his future in the game is unclear, with regulations in Italy preventing the 29-year-old from playing for his club, Inter, unless the device is removed.
“You did a fantastic job and saved my life,” Eriksen said in a message thanking the medical staff involved.
“Also a big thanks to my friend and captain Simon and my teammates in the Danish team for your support, both on 12 June and afterwards.”