FUMING Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand raged that Uefa rules allow a postponement for coronavirus but not following a cardiac arrest.
Christian Eriksen collapsed just before half-time, requiring CPR and a defibrillator shock to resuscitate him on the pitch in Copenhagen.
But Hjulmand’s side were forced to play the remaining 50 minutes of Saturday’s Euro 2020 clash against Finland, taking to the field around 90 minutes after seeing their team-mate rushed to hospital.
And he hit out at Uefa once again for their handling of the situation.
Speaking to the press today ahead of Thursday’s game with Belgium, Hjulmand said: “Coronavirus allows you to postpone a match for 48 hours.
“A cardiac arrest obviously does not. That, I think, is wrong.
“There is learning here. It was not the right decision to continue playing.
“The boys showed so much strength by going out and playing on.
“But I do not think it was the right thing to give us and the players the choice to go out and finish play on Saturday or Sunday.”
Uefa gave Denmark the choice to either conclude the Finland clash on Saturday night or come back on Sunday lunchtime.
Peter Schmeichel, former Danish goalkeeper and father of Kasper who was in goal on Saturday, revealed Uefa threatened his country with a 3-0 forfeit if they did not take one of those options.
Uefa categorically deny the claim but Schmeichel said: “They said the players insisted on playing. I know that not to be the truth. Or that’s how you see the truth.
“They were left with three options. One was to play immediately and get the last 50 minutes played.
“The next one was to come in yesterday at 12 noon and finish the 50 minutes.
“And the third option was to forfeit the game and lose 3-0.
“So, you know, work it out for yourself. Is it the players’ wish to play? Did they have any choice really? I don’t think they had.
“And as you can hear from yesterday’s press conference, the coach seriously regrets putting the players back on the pitch.”
Eriksen is stable and recovering in hospital following the shocking weekend events.
He gave a thumbs up from his bed on Tuesday morning and shared a message on his Instagram.
The Inter Milan star wrote: “Hello everyone. Big thanks for your sweet and amazing greetings and messages from all around the world. It means a lot to me and my family.
“I’m fine – under the circumstances. I still have to go through some examinations at the hospital, but I feel okay.
“Now, I will cheer on the boys on the Denmark team in the next matches. Play for all of Denmark. Best, Christian.”
