Christian Eriksen is escorted off of the field by team mates and medics on a stretcher
(Picture: Getty Images)The BBC broadcast upsetting footage of collapsed Euro 2020 star Christian Eriksen receiving CPR after he collapsed on the pitch - and triggered a social media storm.
The organisation has apologised for allowing the footage - which included moments in which his heartbroken wife could be seen - to be aired.
The 29-year-old Denmark and Inter Milan midfielder stumbled and fell to the floor in the 43rd minute, with fellow players quickly realising that he was in a serious condition.
While the BBC apparently had no control over the feed coming from the stadium - it was operated by Uefa - fans were angry that bosses didn’t cut back to the studio more quickly.
As a result, players were forced to form a wall to shield Eriksen as he received treatment.
Here’s just some of the angry reaction the delay in cutting the feed caused. (Understandably, there’s strong language throughout.)
What the absolute fuck were the BBC thinking broadcasting Eriksen’s CPR and long after that, Jesus Christ.
— The Poisonous Euros Atmosphere Fan (@DawnHFoster) June 12, 2021
Agree with this 'til the chest compressions started. BBC should have cut away when the production hosts were clearly immoral wankers. Not the main point from today though. Massive respect to the players and especially the medical staff in what looks like saving Eriksen's life. https://t.co/X2J07aMvLi
— Zurab (@Zurab__) June 12, 2021
The shots used in the match are horrific, but the BBC doesn't get to pick them - it's done by the host broadcaster, so don't get angry at them for that. They should, however, have cut away from them to the studio when they realised the host broadcaster doesn't have any tact
— Chris Stokel-Walker (@stokel) June 12, 2021
A number of people noted the emotional and powerful moment Eriksen’s teammates surrounded him with their bodies to block the view of fans and TV cameras.
A huge fuck you to the UEFA filming and BBC coverage. The fact that the Danish players knew they had to shield it. The fact that they filmed the CPR through the gaps in players' legs. The fact they filmed Eriksen's wife. The fact that BBC didn't just cut back to studio. Shameful.
— Spurs Web Seb (@SpursWebSeb) June 12, 2021
It’s truly sad that the Denmark players had to protect Eriksen from shit organisations like the BBC I expect a lot more than an apology from them 🙏🇩🇰 pic.twitter.com/2rMTgzvpQv
— Adama (@WolvesNumber37) June 12, 2021
The fact that the players had to form a shield against the BBC cameras filming Christian Eriksen is absolutely disgusting #DENFIN pic.twitter.com/Qi6KDGMw8Z
— Pøgba Senior (@TheSaltiHere) June 12, 2021
Some were particularly upset by images of his crying wife:
The BBC have just shown Eriksen’s wife crying, utterly disgusted
— 𝓛𝓲𝓪𝓶 🐝🏴 (@LJxmes) June 12, 2021
Filming a crying wife, crying teammates and worst of all the face of someone actively receiving CPR is abhorrent. Whether or not the BBC chose the cameras, they still streamed it.
— George Berry (@gdberry12) June 12, 2021
Thoughts, prayers and everything else with Christian Eriksen and his family ❤️
The BBC didn't have control over the cameras on pitch, but they could - and should! - have cut to the studio much quicker.
— Ash Sarkar (@AyoCaesar) June 12, 2021
And every one of those responsible for zooming in on Eriksen's face as he received CPR, and his devastated wife, should be sacked immediately I'm sorry.
Between lingering zoomed in on Eriksen's face while he lay unmoving and then cutting to his devastated wife on the pitch the BBC has fucking questions to answer.
— Alexander Brown (@AlexofBrown) June 12, 2021
They panned to Eriksen’s partner as he was being resuscitated. That’s truly sickening. I cannot believe the BBC and other broadcasters didn’t have the decency to cut to the studio. The lack of care is utterly scary.
— #TouchlineFracas (@touchlinefracas) June 12, 2021
The BBC said via a spokesperson: “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.”
BBC football host Gary Lineker also weighed in, saying:
We will be back on air at 7.25 on @bbcone. I understand some of you would have been upset with some of the images shown (we were too). Obviously these were the host pictures and out of our control. They should have stayed on a wide of the stadium. Apologies.
— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) June 12, 2021
Eriksen is now awake and stable in hospital, according to the Danish Football Association.
