Denmark national team nominated for FIFA Fair Play Award for their heroic response to Christian Eriksen’s on-pitch cardiac arrest at Euro 2020

The life-saving intervention of Denmark’s players and medical staff after Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 has been nominated for FIFA’s Fair Play Award. The former Tottenham midfielder went into cardiac arrest and collapsed shortly before half-time in Denmark’s opening game of the tournament against Finland in the summer. Danish team doctor Morten Boesen later revealed the Inter Milan star was ‘gone’ before he was revived using CPR and a single defibrillator shock on the pitch, as distraught team-mates formed a protective ring around medics treating Eriksen.

Inter Milan’s Eriksen, who was later fitted with a defibrillator (ICD), has been told he will not be allowed to take to the field in Italy this season but could be able to play abroad. Rules in Italy state that people with a defibrillator like Eriksen are not allowed to play contact sport. But the 29-year-old could theoretically continue his career in another country, with different rules. Ajax defender Daley Blind, for example, was also fitted with an ICD after being diagnosed with heart muscle inflammation, but has continued playing for the Eredivisie champions, as well as internationally for Holland.  Denmark are in the running for the FIFA accolade alongside former Celtic captain Scott Brown and Watford boss Claudio Ranieri. Brown – now player-coach at Aberdeen – approached Kamara as the two side’s warmed up before last March’s Old Firm game at Celtic Park after the Rangers midfielder suffered racist abuse in a Europa League tie against Slavia Prague. Slavia’s Ondrej Kudela was found guilty of using a racial slur toward Kamara and handed a 10-game ban by UEFA. In a show of solidarity, Brown shook his rivals’ hand and put his arm around his back – an action that was reciprocated – as they spoke for a few minutes. Claudio Ranieri, now the head coach of Premier League side Watford, has also been shortlisted for the award. Last season, his Sampdoria side performed a guard of honour for Antonio Conte’s Inter after they won their first Serie A title since 2010.