ENGLAND’S stars all had cardiac screening tests to reduce the risk of the horror collapse which felled Christian Eriksen, it was revealed yesterday.
The FA ordered thorough heart checks on the football aces leading the charge towards Euro 2020 glory.
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They would not be allowed to play unless they had passed specialist electrocardiogram tests, checking for abnormalities, within the last year.
The players also had to have a detailed echocardiogram ultrasound scan within the last two years.
FA sources said it is now policy to regularly monitor England’s top men’s senior stars — and also England players across every age group.
‘NO CHANCES TAKEN’
Precautions and training were ramped up after the horror collapse of Bolton star Fabrice Muamba during an FA Cup match against Tottenham in 2012.
In addition, all England medical staff are now required to have an Advanced Trauma Medical Management In Football certificate.
That means all medics will be ready to act to save lives should a player suffer a collapse or serious injury.
A source told The Sun: “All England medical staff also have the highest standard of medical equipment with them pitchside to quickly and efficiently manage incidents.
“They’re ready to react quickly and effectively should the worst kind of incident occur, both in a match and training scenarios.
“It’s an issue which is taken incredibly seriously in the light of what happened to both Fabrice and Christian. No chances are taken.”
Denmark’s team doctor Morten Boesen confirmed that Eriksen was “gone” before being revived. He said: “We did cardiac resuscitation, it was a cardiac arrest.
“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.
“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. How close were we to losing him?
“I don’t know, but we got him back after one defibrillation so that’s quite fast. The examinations done so far look fine. We don’t have an explanation why it happened.”
Denmark head coach Kasper Hjulmand revealed Eriksen said: “I don’t remember much but I’m more concerned about you guys. How are you doing? I think you’re feeling worse than I am. I feel as if I’m about to go training now, boys.”
Hjulmand said: “That’s typical Christian. It was good to see him smile. Christian is in good spirits and it’s a huge relief for the players. We’ve been on the ropes.”
Former Spurs boss Jose Mourinho, who coached Eriksen before the player left for Inter Milan, said: “I prayed yesterday, I cried yesterday. God was looking at football.”
Prior to England’s game against Croatia, fans at Wembley applauded Eriksen as the stadium announcer wished him a speedy recovery.
Skipper Harry Kane tweeted: “Chris. I’m sending all my love to you and your family. Stay strong mate.”
Meanwhile, the BBC removed footage of Eriksen’s collapse from its iPlayer yesterday as broadcasting regulator Ofcom prepared to launch a probe.
Ref’s wife ‘proud’
By Richard Moriarty
THE wife of the English ref at the centre of the Christian Eriksen health scare yesterday told of her pride at his actions.
Premier League ref Anthony Taylor was widely praised for his quick action in halting the game within three seconds of the ex-Spurs star collapsing during Saturday’s clash between Denmark and Finland.
Taylor, 42, born in Wythenshawe where Marcus Rashford also grew up, was congratulated by Prince William for “calm and swift action”.
And his wife Anne-Marie told The Sun: “I am very proud of him.”
Asked if he was upset by what happened, she said: “I have spoken to him. He is fine now. He is good.”
Hundreds of viewers complained after live footage of the frantic attempts to revive him was beamed into millions of homes.
They branded the Beeb “shameful” for not cutting away from the upsetting scenes.
Host Gary Lineker later apologised in a tweet.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
