THE BBC has apologised after football fans slammed them for not cutting away after Christian Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener with Finland.
The former Spurs midfielder received CPR surrounded by his worried teammates – and the broadcaster continued filming.
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One viewer described the move as “unacceptable” while another said the BBC had “traumatised an entire nation”.
Another tweeted: “I’m not sure why they didn’t stop the cameras & go straight to the studio as soon as they saw he was getting CPR.
“I feel physically sick having watched this in real time. God I hope he’ll pull through. Only 29.”
While one commented: “BBC need to think harder about privacy issues and react better when something this horrendous happens live on TV.
“Unacceptable to broadcast wife crying and a man receiving CPR.”
Even Ian Wright weighed in, tweeting: “CUT TO THE STUDIO FFS!!!!”
The BBC has now said sorry after the flood of complaints.
A spokesperson 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.”
The shocking scenes happened towards the end of the first half of the match.
Upset fans in Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium looked on in horror as medics tended to the former Inter Milan ace.
His distraught teammates formed a circle around him, with some in tears.
UEFA announced the Group B game was suspended due to a “medical emergency”.
English referee Anthony Taylor signalled immediately for medical staff to come onto the pitch after Eriksen collapsed.
Christian Eriksen latest:
– EURO HORROR Eriksen rushed to hospital in ‘stable condition’ after collapsing on pitch
– PLAY ON Christian Eriksen ‘FaceTimes Denmark team-mates from hospital’ and says play-on
– BEEB FURY BBC apologises after fans slam them for not cutting away after Eriksen collapsed
– ‘PLEASE GOD’ Football world prays for Eriksen after Dane collapses and given CPR on pitch
– UNITED IN CARE Touching moment Finland fans give country’s flags to shield stricken Eriksen
– ‘I LOVE YOU’ Watch Lukaku score for Belgium and dedicate goal to Inter team-mate Eriksen
As well as filming his medical treatment, footy fans blasted the BBC for showing Eriksen’s wife crying.
Sabrina Kvist Jensen was seen in tears while being consoled by Danish players after she rushed down to the pitch.
One viewer said they were “utterly disgusted” by the decision to show her on screen.
Another posted on Twitter: “It’s absolutely atrocious how the BBC kept filming after all that was happening, no respect at all.”
And one commented: “Camera man at bbc needs to give his head a wobble filming #Eriksen on the floor and his wife crying her eyes out.”
BBC coverage of the game ended after the distressing scenes were shown to viewers across the country.
Commentator Jonathan Pearce said: “The pictures you are seeing here in the Parken Stadium in Denmark are terrible.”
Both teams left the field with officials holding up sheets to hide Eriksen from view.
‘ABHORRENT’
The stadium announcer told fans that the game had been suspended due to a medical emergency and to stay in their seats.
It has since been announced the game will restart at 7.30pm, on the players’ request.
And UEFA released a statement saying Eriksen is in hospital in a “stable condition”.
There has been an outpouring of messages from well-wishers for Eriksen following this evening’s distressing images.
Marcus Rashford tweeted a prayer and a Danish flag emoji, while former Spurs striker Gary Lineker, who was in the BBC studio for the match, tweeted: “Thank heavens. Some hope. Thoughts are with him and his family.”
A Spurs spokesperson tweeted: “All of our thoughts are with Christian Eriksen and his family.”
Fabrice Muamba, the former Bolton midfielder who collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest during a televised FA Cup game in 2012, tweeted “Please God” following the incident.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
