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Christian Eriksen to have heart starter fitted after suffering cardiac arrest on pitch at Euro 2020
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Christian Eriksen to have heart starter fitted after suffering cardiac arrest on pitch at Euro 2020

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN is to be fitted with a heart starter device after he collapsed during Denmark’s Euro 2020 clash with Finland.

The 29-year-old midfielder suffered a cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated on the pitch at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen.

Eriksen was eventually revived via emergency CPR.

The Denmark team medic Dr Morten Boesen has confirmed the Inter Milan player will have a heart starter device implanted in what is a necessary precaution instances of this kind.

"After Christian has been through different heart examinations it has been decided that he should have an ICD (heart starter)," Dr Boesen said.

He continued: "This device is necessary after cardiac attack due to rhythm disturbances.

"Christian has accepted the solution and the plan has moreover been confirmed by specialists nationally and internationally who all recommend the same treatment.

"We encourage everybody to give Christian and his family peace and privacy the following time."

While the game was halted followed Eriksen’s collapse, the match later resumed with Finland winning 1-0.

(Photo by Friedemann Vogel - Pool/Getty Images)

It was restarted at the request of Eriksen, who sent a short message to his teammates from hospital to assure them he was fine.

According to Denmark coach Kasper Hjumland the playmaker relayed a message to his teammates saying: "I think you are feeling worse than I am. I feel as if I'm about to go training now, boys."

Following the game, Denmark captain Simon Kjaer was praised for ensuring Erikse’s airways were clear and he had not swallowed his tongue.

His also sought out Eriksen’s partner and, along with teammates like Kasper Schmeichel, provided her with help and support during a traumatic few minutes.