This archive report was first published on 12 June 2021.
On June 12, 2021, a dramatic scene unfolded at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark, as Christian Eriksen, a 29-year-old midfielder for Inter Milan, collapsed on the pitch during the Euro 2020 match against Finland.
The incident occurred just before halftime, leaving players from both teams in a state of distress. English referee Anthony Taylor immediately called for medical assistance, and Eriksen received prolonged treatment on the field.
As news of the collapse spread, messages of support and goodwill poured in from the football community. Victor Wanyama, a former teammate of Eriksen's at Tottenham Hotspur, tweeted, 'Christian Eriksen my brother, thoughts with you and your loved ones?????' (June 12, 2021).
Other teams, including Tottenham Hotspur, Liverpool FC, and FC Barcelona, also expressed their support for Eriksen, with messages such as 'All our thoughts and prayers are with Christian Eriksen???' (Liverpool FC, June 12, 2021) and 'Stay strong, Eriksen?' (FC Barcelona, June 12, 2021).
Following a crisis meeting between the teams and match officials, UEFA announced that the match would resume after a unanimous agreement from both participating teams. The last four minutes of the first half would be played, followed by a 5-minute halftime break and the second half.
Team-mates formed a shield around Eriksen, while fans inside the stadium were visibly stunned by the incident, with some pictured in tears.
