Medics who saved the life of Christian Eriksen, a Danish soccer player, will be honoured.
The medical team that saved Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen life during the European Championship in June will be honoured with the UEFA President’s Award, according to UEFA.
Christian Eriksen fainted during Denmark’s opening loss to Finland and was given life-saving care on the field before being transported to a Copenhagen hospital.
Denmark’s doctor and physio, as well as team captain Simon Kjaer, who began CPR on Eriksen, is also being honoured.
In a statement, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said, “This year, the President’s Award transcends football.”
“It serves as a powerful and perpetual reminder of how valuable life is, and it puts everything in our lives into perspective.”
Christian Eriksen has subsequently received a pacemaker that can avoid fatal cardiac arrests by delivering a jolt to re-establish a normal heart rhythm.
His future in the game, however, remains uncertain, as Italian regulations forbid the 29-year-old from playing for his side Inter until the device is removed.
In a message to the medical team involved, Eriksen wrote, “You did a tremendous job and saved my life.”
“I’d also like to express my gratitude to my friend and captain Simon, as well as my Danish teammates, for their support on June 12 and subsequently.”
