Politics
BBC apologises after Euro 2020 fans slam them for not cutting away after Christian Eriksen collapsed on pitch
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.
Follow ALL of the latest news and updates from Euro 2020 with our live blog
Eriksen’s worried teammates shield him as he receives treatment[/caption]
Fans blasted the BBC for continuing to show the ‘medical emergency’[/caption]
Viewers were horrified the BBC didn’t cut away from the distressing scenes[/caption]
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.”
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.”
One said they felt ‘physically sick’ after watching it in ‘real time’[/caption]
Another was ‘disgusted’ by the decision to keep rolling[/caption]
One viewer said there was a ‘lack of care’[/caption]
Football fans across the world are praying for Eriksen[/caption]
People called for the BBC to cut its broadcast as soon as Eriksen collapsed[/caption]
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 Francis signalled immediately for medical staff to come onto the pitch after Eriksen collapsed.
It comes as…
- Christian Eriksen in ‘stable condition’ after collapsing during Denmark v Finland Euro 2020 match
- UEFA releases statement after Eriksen collapsed as ‘crisis talks’ take place
- Football world prays for Christian Eriksen after Denmark star given CPR on pitch
- Denmark vs Finland to restart at 7.30pm on players’ request
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.”
Twitter was flooded with criticism of the BBC[/caption]
One viewer said it was ‘unacceptable’ to broadcast Eriken’s wife in tears[/caption]
One Twitter user praised the Swedish coverage of the Euro 2020 game[/caption]
Another described the move as ‘absolutely atrocious’[/caption]
‘Eriksen’ is trending on Twitter as fans pray for him[/caption]
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.
Most read in Football
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.
