Euro 2020

DENMARK boss Kasper Hjulmand has blasted Uefa for giving his players a ‘tough choice’ after Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch on Saturday.The Danish gaffer also slammed the decision to resume the Euro 2020 clash against Finland later in the day.
Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand has blasted Uefa for giving his players a ‘tough decision’ to make after Christian Eriksen collapsedCredit: EPA
The Dane needed CPR and his manager said resuming the Euro 2020 clash against Finland was wrongCredit: EPA
Eriksen, 29, needed CPR during the Danes’ Euro 2020 opener.
His team-mates looked distraught as they formed a protective ring around the stricken Inter Milan star.
The playmaker was eventually stretchered off the pitch after 13 minutes of intense medical treatment.
Remarkably both teams returned to the pitch at 7:30pm to restart the match which Denmark lost 1-0. Hjulmand said on Saturday they were given two choices: Resume the game Saturday night or play Sunday at midday.
It was reported Erisken had a Facetime call with his team-mates and asked them to play the remainder of the match as ‘he feels better now’.
But Hjulmand shed some light on the situation on Sunday and was not impressed by the position his players were put in.
He said: “I think it was the wrong thing to make the decision between the two scenarios in this case.
“The players didn’t know if they lost their best friend and they had to decide [whether to play].
Distraught Danish players formed a circle around Eriksen after he collapsed

“I have a feeling we shouldn’t have played, to just get on the bus and go home and see what the next days brought.
“It was a tough message that the players had to try and make a decision. I have a sense that it was wrong the players were put in this situation.
“I am really proud to be the coach of a team that responded the way they did. Football showed its best face. Team spirit, compassion and love is what football is really about.”
Denmark sit third in Group B after the defeat. They face first placed Russia next up.
And Hjulmand says some of his players will not be ready to play on in the tournament after the trauma.
‘PLAY FOR CHRISTIAN’
He added: “We will try to establish normality as much as possible tomorrow.
“Players have different kinds of shocks and traumas and emotions. For some of them the time will be too short to play football again.
“But we will try to reach normality during the training sessions and then do our best against Belgium.
“Christian was concerned about us and his family. He said he didn’t remember much and was more concerned about how we were doing.
“That’s typical Christian and it just shows his generosity.
“Christian is a hell of a player but what a person he is as well. He would like for us to play.
“He feels like he could go out and play and feels best when his feet are close to a football.
“It was good to see him smile and we’ll try to see if we can get ourselves together and play for Christian.”
Denmark’s sporting director Peter Møller said: “We all love football, but football is not the most important thing in the world.
“When a thing happens like what happened to Christian, that is most important. I totally agree the right decision was not to play the game.”
Eriksen’s former Tottenham team-mate Son Heung-min paid tribute to the Dane when he scored South Korea’s winner against Lebanon.
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Denmark head coach gets emotional at post-match press conference after Christian Eriksen collapsed More

FUMING fans bizarrely blamed the BBC for the SHADOW covering a third of the Wembley pitch in England’s Euro 2020 opener. The Three Lions had home advantage in the London sun against 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia.
Fans bizarrely blamed the BBC for the SHADOW covering a third of the Wembley pitch
But viewers were left furious as England’s left side and Croatia’s box was covered in shade.
And some blamed broadcaster BBC for the shadow and demanded they somehow fix it.
One tweeted: “Nice shadow on the pitch another blinding performance from the bbc.”
Another posted: “BBC need to sort this shadow outBBC need to sort this shadow out.”
One commented: “Can’t the BBC sort out that shadow?”
But others made fun of those accusing the BBC of being to blame for the shaded pitch.
One joked: “Seeing England supporters tweet complaints at the BBC because there’s a shadow on the pitch reminds me we deserve no good things as a nation.”
Another said: My favourite thing is people blaming the BBC for the shadow on the pitch.”
Can’t the BBC sort out that shadow?— Richard Shephard (@thegingerpiglet) June 13, 2021

Who’s providing the feed for this? BBC? Technicians need to sort out that black shadow. Never this bad before. #ENGCRO— Bantam Menace 💙3.5% (@neilhwilliams) June 13, 2021

Seeing England supporters tweet complaints at the BBC because there’s a shadow on the pitch reminds me we deserve no good things as a nation.— Brett Phipps (@InverteBrett) June 13, 2021

My favourite thing is people blaming the BBC for the shadow on the pitch— G💕 (@Gracezillaa) June 13, 2021

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Fans also took to social media to question why Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell and Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho were not even benched.
But Southgate said: “With the two boys that are out of the squad, it’s just unfortunate we can only name 23 and we’ve had to cover certain positions.
“I don’t like the fact we’re having to leave players out of the squad in a major tournament.”
Supporters were soon full of cheer as England won their first ever opening Euros game thanks to Raheem Sterling’s winner.
Huge crowds of England fans cheers to the Three Lions ahead of Croatia game More

FOOTBALL fans showed their support for Christian Eriksen ahead of Saturday’s Euro 2020 clash with Croatia.The Wembley big screens displayed the message ‘Best Wishes Christian’ before kick-off, during a statement from the stadium announcer.
One fan showed his support for Christian Eriksen during a Wembley ovationCredit: Reuters
A best wishes message was displayed on the big screenCredit: Getty
Supporters applauded with one fan also seen holding up a Tottenham shirt bearing the Dane’s name.
Eriksen, 29, called Wembley his home for almost two of his six-and-a-half-years with the capital club.
During Saturday’s game between Denmark and Finland, he collapsed and required urgent medical attention including CPR.
Devastated team-mates and fans watched on as he was taken to hospital, where Eriksen was awake as his condition fortunately stabilised.
England boss Gareth Southgate described his players’ shock at the incident and a number know the Inter Milan star personally, such as Tottenham’s Harry Kane and former team-mate Kieran Trippier.
Southgate told BBC ahead before England’s 1-0 win: “We have players who are close to him, have played with him, and it was difficult for them to watch. Thankfully, the news sounds positive.”
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

A number of other Euro 2020 teams have sent their best wishes to Eriksen.
The Germany and Sweden squads were among those to line up at their training camps with messages of support.
On Sunday afternoon, the Danish FA (DBU) provided a fresh update on their player’s condition.
DBU football director Peter Moller said: “Christian Eriksen is doing well under the circumstances.”
Romelu Lukaku dedicates goal to Inter Milan team-mate Christian Eriksen as he scores for Belgium against Russia More

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN suffered a cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated, Denmark’s team doctor confirmed on Sunday.The former Spurs midfielder, 29, received CPR as he was surrounded by distraught team-mates after collapsing during the game against Finland yesterday.
Christian Eriksen’s worried team-mates look on as he receives treatment on Saturday nightCredit: Reuters
Christian Eriksen is in a stable condition in hospital, a statement on Sunday morning saidCredit: Reuters
Medical staff raced onto the pitch to give emergency treatment to the Inter Milan ace as his team-mates formed a protective shield around him.
And speaking at a press conference on Sunday afternoon, Denmark team doctor Morten Boesen said: “We don’t have an explanation for what happened.
“I didn’t see it live, I saw it on the screen after it happened.
“It was a cardiac arrest. He was gone and we did cardiac resuscitation.
“How close were we? I don’t know. We got him back after 1 defib. That’s quite fast. The details, I’m not a cardiologist, so I will leave to the experts.”
Boesen added: “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? I don’t know. We got him back after 1 defib. That’s quite fast. The details, I’m not a cardiologist, so I will leave to the experts.Denmark team doctor Morten Boesen
Denmark’s captain Simon Kjaer was hailed as a “hero” after placing Eriksen in the recovery position while unconscious and giving CPR to his friend before medics arrived.
Eriksen was seen conscious and sitting up on a stretcher while receiving oxygen as he was taken from the pitch just after 6pm.
It was reported that he had a Facetime call with his Denmark team-mates and asked them to play the remainder of the match.
Danish players received professional help after the trauma of seeing their team-mate collapse.
Denmark released an update on Eriksen’s condition on Sunday morning on their Twitter page.
Denmark team doctor Morten Boesen at a press conference on SundayCredit: EPA
Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand said the game shouldn’t have been continuedCredit: EPA

It read: “This morning we have spoken to Christian Eriksen, who has sent his greetings to his teammates.
“His condition is stable, and he continues to be hospitalised for further examination.
“The team and staff of the national team has received crisis assistance and will continue to be there for each other after yesterday’s incident.
“We would like to thank everyone for the heartfelt greetings to Christian Eriksen from fans, players, the Royal Families from both Denmark and England, international associations, club etc.
“We encourage everyone to send their greetings to the Danish FA, where will make sure they are all passed on to Christian and his family.”
The shocking scenes happened towards the end of the first half of the teams’ opening Group B match, with Eriksen receiving 13 minutes of medical treatment.
PRAYERS FOR DANISH ACE
Following the distressing incident the match was abandoned, but was restarted at 7.30PM (GMT), with Finland winning 1-0.
Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand was critical of the decision to resume the match and says his players were put in a ‘tough’ position.
England captain Harry Kane, who is close friends with former Spurs team-mate Eriksen, tweeted: “Chris. I’m sending all my love to you and your family. Stay strong mate.”
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin wished Eriksen a “full and speedy recovery”.
In a statement, the football chief said: “Moments like this put everything in life into perspective.  
“I wish Christian a full and speedy recovery and pray his family has strength and faith.
“We would like to thank everyone for the heartfelt greetings to Christian Eriksen from fans, players, the Royal Families from both Denmark and England, international associations, club etc.Denmark FA statement
“At these times, the unity of the football family is so strong and he and his family carry with them the good wishes and prayers of everyone.
“I heard of fans of both teams chanting his name. Football is beautiful and Christian plays it beautifully.”
Denmark and Finland fans among the 16,000 crowd at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium chanted Eriksen’s name together before the match resumed.
Eriksen collapsed just before half-time as team-mate Joakim Maehle threw the ball to him.
Denmark’s players looked distraught after the incident
They returned to finish their match against Finland on Saturday nightCredit: AFP
The supporters in Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium looked on in horror after their star player fell down on the pitch
Fans of both teams were heard chanting Eriksen’s nameCredit: AFP
English referee Anthony Taylor signalled immediately for medical staff to come onto the pitch after Eriksen collapsed.
Martin Braithwaite and Thomas Delaney then raced towards their team-mate, as Delaney gestured frantically for emergency medical help.
Eriksen’s distraught colleagues were left in tears as they looked in anxiously.
Shocked supporters watched in horror as Danish physios tended to the ex-Spurs star.
Eriksen was seen being stretchered from the pitch while conscious after emergency paramedics arrived.
The midfielder’s wife, Sabrina Kvist Jensen, was seen in tears and being consoled by Danish players after she rushed down to the pitch.
UEFA announced the match was suspended due to a “medical emergency”.
BBC coverage of the game ended after the distressing scenes were shown to viewers across the country.
But viewers reacted with anger after the coverage didn’t cut away once Eriksen fell to the floor.

A BBC spokesman apologised for broadcasting the upsetting footage.
The spokesman 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.”
Denmark head coach gets emotional at post-match press conference after Christian Eriksen collapsed More

EX-SCOTLAND star Derek Whyte cried when they qualified for Euro 2020 – now he has urged them to have ‘no regrets’ as they aim to avoid another ‘glorious failure’ and tears of pain.The 52-year-old, now a TV pundit in the Middle East, is one of the unique few to represent his country at three major international tournaments.

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Derek Whyte suffered heartbreak at three tournaments with Scotland
The ex-Boro ace faced some of the toughest forwards in the world during his playing days
The former defender and his son posing with Cafu and Roberto Carlos after Scotland’s clash with Brazil at France ’98Credit: Derek WhyteWIN £50,000 with Dream Team EurosDream Team Euros is HERE!

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One of those was the World Cup back in 1998 – but he admits he had no idea back then that he would have to wait 23 years to see his nation back on the big stage.
Whyte, a former defender for Celtic, Middlesbrough, Aberdeen and Partick Thistle, spoke exclusively to Sun Sport ahead of Scotland’s Group D opener against Czech Republic on Monday.
He said: “I had a decent career but I wasn’t a top, top player like a Teddy Sheringham or a Steven Gerrard, but I grew up watching Scotland vs England and it made me want to play for my country.
“I went to Euro ‘92, ‘96 and the World Cup in ‘98. I was very fortunate to go to three tournaments within a decade and I can’t believe it.
“I remember in ‘98 after the opening game we played Brazil at Stade de France. My oldest boy, who is now 28 but was then about four, I got a picture afterwards of me and him with Roberto Carlos and Cafu. 
“I promised my son then that when I retire I would definitely take him to the next tournament and now it’s over 20 years later.
“I promise you, when Scotland qualified for this one, I was crying and so emotional.
“I watch football every week and don’t really get caught up in the emotion, but I honestly just couldn’t stop crying. I’m so happy for the country – especially with everything Covid related going on.”

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As was often the case while he was growing up and cheering on his country at tournaments, Whyte also suffered heartbreak firsthand while on Scotland duty.
He said: “I can remember being 10-years-old when Scotland went to the 1978 World Cup in Argentina.
“They weren’t even playing, they were just travelling, but I was with thousands of people as they went around the old ash track at Hampden just to wish them good luck to go away.
“The manager at the time said we were going to win the World Cup, but we obviously didn’t, and it was a glorious failure.
“We did ever so well at Euro ‘96 when I was there and we thought we were going through but didn’t get there in the end.
“Every time Scotland get to a tournament it seems to end in a glorious failure. 
“But I’m quietly confident this year. I really like Stevey Clarke and he has not got any superstars in his squad – but what he does have is plenty of players playing in the Premier League.
“That’s unusual from the last couple of years but as long as they do the country proud then that is all we are asking for.”
Steve Clarke’s Scotland begin their Euro 2020 campaign with a clash against Czech RepublicCredit: Getty
Now with the prospect of the fourth-best third-placed sides in the group stages going through into the knockouts, the Tartan Army are starting to believe this could finally be the year Scotland make it through.
Whyte said: “It’s never happened to us before. We don’t have the talented squads that England and the top teams like France and Germany but there seems to be a really good team spirit.
“Sometimes that can get you through but it’s a tough group.
“If we can get off to a good start on Monday then that will be great and then the England game is obviously massive for everyone.”
Whyte makes no secret that he thinks the strong spirit within Clarke’s squad is its strongest weapon – but he also believes the Scots may just have an ace up their sleeve in Billy Gilmour.
And drawing on all of his experience of having been there three times before with the Scots, he urged the 16-year-old Chelsea midfielder and his teammates to have ‘no regrets’ at the Euros.
Billy Gilmour could be the ace up the sleeve for Steve ClarkeCredit: Getty
Whyte added: “I know he’s young but I don’t care what age you are, it’s about how good you are.
“Gilmour looks absolutely fantastic from what I have seen of him but it’s just whether he gets an opportunity or not.
“It’s always the same in a tournament like this, someone can just have a fantastic couple of games.
“If I could give them one message before they start then it would be to not have any regrets.
“Everybody gets nervous and there will be butterflies, even the top players, but that’s a good thing. 
“I just want them to give it everything, have no regrets and you just never know.
“Football is a funny old game and it might be a bit of brilliance or madness with someone getting sent-off against you in a game you are not expected to win.
“Just make sure when you do come home it’s with no regrets.”
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ENGLAND fans applauded the Three Lions as they took the knee today – drowning out boos by a tiny minority. Fans showed respect for the gesture at Wembley by cheering as the players kneeled after pleas for support from Boris Johnson and Gareth Southgate. 
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England players took the knee this afternoonCredit: AFP
Midfielders Mason Mount and Kalvin Phillips take a knee before kick offCredit: Getty
Captain Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and the referee take a kneeCredit: Rex
Kyle Walker takes the knee before kick off
Fans praised supporters in the stadium for drowning out the boos.
BBC host and ex-England player Gary Lineker wrote: “The vast majority of fans in the stadium are clearly against racism, for equality and behind their team. Well played.”
And Piers Morgan wrote: “Great to see the knee-booers drowned out by knee-cheerers.”
It came after the FA yesterday issued a final plea for fans to support the team and remain silent during the gesture. 
The organisation said the team was taking the knee “as a mechanism of peacefully protesting against discrimination, injustice and inequality”. 
Boris Johnson also said yesterday that he believed it was “totally wrong” to boo the England team during the tournament. 
Manager Gareth Southgate, who has participated in the gesture on the touchline, expressed his hope earlier this week that the nation would unite behind the team during the tournament.
He said: “I think we have got a situation where some people seem to think it’s a political stand that they don’t agree with.
“That’s not the reason that the players are doing it, we’re supporting each other.”
The Croatian players did not take the knee on the pitch.
The Croatian players did not take the knee on the pitchCredit: AP
The players were cheered by supportersCredit: Reuters
Fans praised supporters in the stadium for drowning out the boosCredit: PA
The issue has divided the country, with a YouGov poll showing that 54 per cent of fans supported the gesture with 39 per cent opposed.
Supporters have pointed out that the gesture is vital in promoting an anti-racism message at a time when footballers continue to receive vile racist abuse online. 
But critics have claimed it politicises sport, with Tory MP Brendan Clarke-Smith last week saying that fans “are there to watch a football match, not be lectured on morality”. 
Crystal Palace forward Wilfried Zaha earlier this year stopped the gesture, saying it was “degrading”, while a number of football clubs in the Championship made the same decision. 
Certain fans who have chosen to boo also claim that the gesture is linked to Black Lives Matter, who they allege are an extreme political group – though the England players have denied any association with politics.
It marks the third time the England team has been booed for the move after jeers were heard during the Three Lions’ warm-up game at Middlesbrough’s Riverside Stadium last week.

The Scottish FA confirmed this week that its team will take the knee at Wembley Stadium before next Friday’s clash with England.
The organisation was forced into a U-turn after facing a barrage of criticism for choosing to “stand against racism” rather than kneel.
Scotland will stand at Hampden Park for their other two group games but take the knee before playing England, it was confirmed last week.
England release passionate message pleading with fans not to boo when players take knee before Croatia clash More