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- 29-year-old midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch during Denmark’s first Euro 2020 match.
- Medics were forced to use resuscitative measures such as chest compressions and a defibrillator.
- Sports fans were left disgusted with the fact that the entire situation was broadcast on live TV, with camera even appearing to show his wife in tears.
Sports fans were left furious with ESPN’s Euro 2020 coverage after the camera feed remained trained on Christian Eriksen while he was being resuscitated by medics on the pitch.
Eriksen, the 29-year-old Inter Milan midfielder, scarily collapsed on the field in the 43rd minute of the match between Denmark and Finland, prompting medics to use resuscitative measures such as chest compressions and defibrillation. Thankfully, despite how horrifying the scenes were, reports indicate that Eriksen is conscious and stable, and has been taken to a nearby hospital for further evaluation and tests.
As the scene was unfolding, enraged sports fans took to Twitter to express their disgust with the fact that the camera feed remained live and trained on Eriksen, and even his wife, during the entire ordeal.
https://twitter.com/FCB_Lad/status/1403760855846555651
Embarrassing effort by ESPN showing Eriksen’s wife. Even the announcers are basically saying they shouldn’t be broadcasting this. Just horrendous. They deserve tons of criticism for this
— Nick Kostos (@TheKostos) June 12, 2021
https://twitter.com/DumbPhillyFan/status/1403761501811445774
https://twitter.com/thirdeyepunk/status/1403765251083022341
This ESPN broadcast trying to speculate through what happened to Eriksen :/
I feel like it's best they cut to some old game replays and update once info is out.
— Brian Sutterer MD (@BrianSuttererMD) June 12, 2021
ESPN logic: cut away from fans running on the field but not when a player is getting CPR. Classy.
— ✈️ (@happyjetsfan_) June 12, 2021
https://twitter.com/SaddShinobi/status/1403757728598835201
All of his teammates are crying around him, the fans are crying and then his wife runs to the field and has to be held away from her potentially DYING HUSBAND by two of his teammates who are in tears as well and you SHOWED THAT????! Hold someone responsible. @espn
— Brendan 🇺🇸 (@brendanfratis13) June 12, 2021
Hard situation, but ESPN really shouldn’t have shown Eriksen’s wife. Awfully handled by them. Not sure if they’re using European broadcast (possible).
Praying for Eriksen.
— Jack McGuire (@JackMacCFB) June 12, 2021
ESPN and UEFA should be ashamed for airing it for that long and zooming in on his grieving wife. Fucking clown show of a broadcast. Hope eriksen is okay😞 https://t.co/wjePADJDCf
— doop (@beddiecrocker_0) June 12, 2021
However, while fans assumed the error was solely ESPN’s, former Deadspin writer Timothy Burke claimed that the images were controlled by a shared FIFA feed:
BBC1, Univision, and ESPN all aired identical video of the incident and its aftermath. They all went to studio at about the same time.
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) June 12, 2021
Washington Post writer Peter Stevenson took exception to Burke’s statement, saying that ESPN could’ve switched away from the feed themselves”
Um, no. ESPN doesn’t control the cameras or switcher, but absolutely has full “control over the images it airs,” and could have chosen to switch away from the feed/gone to commercial/tossed to studio hosts at any time. https://t.co/9a6rrcrjKk
— Peter Stevenson (@PeterStevenson) June 12, 2021
At this time, ESPN has yet to make a statement regarding their coverage of the incident.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Eriksen, his loved ones, and the entire Danish national team during this time.