The BBC is facing huge backlash over its decision to continue running pool images of the moment midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s first Euro 2020 match against Finland on Saturday.
The 29-year-old player was given life-saving CPR on the pitch after falling to the ground 42 minutes into the ground, with Denmark captain Simon Kjær clearing his teammate’s airways and signalling to the medics they needed urgent help.
And while Eriksen is now stable and conscious in hospital thanks to the speedy response from the pitchside team, the BBC is facing questions over why it continued to run the live images while Eriksen was in medical distress.
(Image: BBC)
Its own pundit Ian Wright blasted the coverage on Twitter, writing in all caps: “CUT TO THE STUDIO FFS!!!!”
The broadcaster has since apologised for its coverage, saying its hands were tied because the feed is run by the Union of European Football Associations (Uefa).
In a statement, the BBC said: “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.”
(Image: ITV)
BBC commentator Gary Lineker added his own apology, writing: “Everyone at the BBC is hoping that Christian makes a full recovery of course and we apologise to anyone who was upset by the images broadcast.
“The 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.”
(Image: Pool via REUTERS)
Meanwhile, Piers Morgan has praised Denmark captain Simon Kjær for his swift actions in realising Eriksen was in trouble.
He gave first aid and consoled Eriksen’s partner, Sabrina Kvist Jensen, who had climbed down from the stand and was watching in tearful horror as medics performed CPR.
“Danish footballer Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch today in the European Championships and for a few horrifying minutes it seemed his life was in danger. Thankfully he is now stable in hospital & seems to be OK,” Piers wrote next to an Instagram picture of Kjær.
(Image: Wolfgang Rattay/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
“One reason for that may be this man…
“Denmark’s captain @simonkjaer.official ensured Eriksen didn’t swallow his tongue when he was unconscious, gave him CPR, told the squad to form a protective shield around him, consoled Eriksen’s horrified wife & has now led his team back into the game. You, sir, are a hero.”
Thankfully, images of Eriksen being stretchered off the pitch showed him alive and conscious.
(Image: Wolfgang Rattay/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
He was taken to hospital where he will be further monitored.
Denmark’s team doctor Martin Boesen told the media in a post-match interview that Eriksen’s pulse changed while he was on the ground, prompting urgent treatment.
“It was clear he was unconscious,” he said.
“When I got to him he was on his side, he was breathing, I could feel a pulse, but suddenly that changed and we started to give him CPR.
(Image: Pool via REUTERS)
“The help came really fast from the medical team and the rest of the staff with their co-operation, and we did what we had to do and managed to get Christian back. He spoke to me before he was taken to hospital.”
The Denmark players were given the option of continuing play or resuming the match at noon on Sunday, but chose to carry on playing after hearing Eriksen was recovering.
They lost 1-0 to Finland with head coach Kasper Hjulmand pointing out many of the players were “emotionally done and emotionally exhausted”.
They will be offered therapy to talk through what they witnessed on the pitch, he added.
Originally from https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/ian-wright-slams-bbc-not-24308201