Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand has accused Uefa of failing to “lead with compassion” and claimed his players were “put under pressure” to complete their Euro 2020 match against Finland within hours of Christian Eriksen’s collapse.
Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest towards the end of the first half and was resuscitated with a defibrillator on the pitch.
Referee Anthony Taylor suspended the game but it resumed around 90 minutes later and ended with Finland recording a 1-0 victory.
“The only real leadership would have been to put the players on a bus and send them home. And then deal with it after,” Hjulmand said. “With corona cases it’s possible to postpone a game for 48 hours. But with cardiac arrest, apparently it’s not. And I think that’s wrong.
“You don’t necessarily find good leadership in the protocols. Good leadership can sometimes be to lead with compassion.”
While it was initially reported that Denmark had taken the decision to finish the fixture, it later emerged that they had been given two options: play the game that evening or the following afternoon at midday.
“Looking back, I don’t feel right that we were there [back on the field] after the incident,” Hjulmand said. “I think it showed so much strength from the guys, to be able to go out and play. That shows so much character, so much strength, and I’m very proud of that. Having said that, I don’t think it was the right thing to be given those two choices, play now or tomorrow at 12. And maybe that’s a learning lesson for the future.
“It’s completely wrong to give the perception that it was we who came and said we wanted to continue playing as our first option. It was a choice between the two scenarios. And then you can argue whether we were put under pressure. I felt that the players – and us close to them – were put under that pressure and were given that dilemma. It was a hugely difficult situation to be in.”
Uefa: Incident handled ‘with utmost respect’
Uefa has defended the decision, insisting the game could not be postponed any further because Finland are playing against Russia on Wednesday.
Denmark could have forfeited the game entirely but the result would have been recorded as a 3-0 defeat.
“Uefa is sure it treated the matter with utmost respect for the sensitive situation and for the players,” a statement said. “It was decided to restart the match only after the two teams requested to finish the game on the same evening.”
However, Denmark’s Martin Braithwaite echoed Hjulmand’s complaints, admitting “it was not our wish to play”. “There were many players who weren’t in a condition to play the match, the Barcelona forward said. “We were in a completely different place.”
Peter Schmeichel, whose son Kasper was playing in goal for Denmark, also said on BBC Radio 5 live that Uefa should have “shown a little bit of compassion, and they didn’t”.
By the time the match kicked off again, news of Eriksen’s condition was more positive and on Tuesday, he released his first public message thanking those who had sent messages of support.
More from i on Euro 2020
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- ‘Yorkshire Pirlo’ showing he has perfect blend of silk and steel to be a star
- Where Schick’s strike against Scotland ranks among greatest Euros goals
- Daniel Storey’s guide to all 24 teams – from hot favourites to no hopers
- How to watch every Euro 2020 match on TV and online in the UK
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3q7TWaB
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