Cesc Fabregas and Micah Richards hailed the mental strength of the traumatised Denmark and Finland players for restarting their Euro 2020 clash following Christian Eriksen’s shocking collapse.
The former international players were shellshocked following the distressing sight of Inter Milan ace Eriksen falling to the turf before
Eriksen was given emergency treatment as medics carried out CPR and the 29-year-old was later described as being in a stable position after being rushed to hospital.
The game was postponed by English referee Anthony Taylor - who was hailed for his quick reaction - but the Group B fixture was later restarted at the request of both players, including Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara, with reports that Eriksen FaceTimed his team-mates as Finland won 1-0.
Ex-Spain star Fabregas and former Manchester City and England defender Richards were on the BBC panel showing live coverage of the match.
And as they returned live coverage of the match from Copenhagen’s Parken stadium, Fabregas said of the players: “I am surprised.
“If it is their decision then well done for them. They are strong enough mentally to cope with it but it’s difficult to for me to understand how they did it because the images we were very sad.
“But fair play to them. It’s not a day to play the the heroes game. It’s just a moment to realise how grateful we are.”
Richards said: “We’ve got be positive but he was getting CPR 45 minutes ago. God knows what’s going through the players’ minds. They are better men than me.”
Eriksen’s Inter Milan team-mate Romelu Lukaku delivered a message to the Dane when he scored against Russia in the evening’s other game for Belgium, roaring ‘Chris… I love you’ into the camera as he celebrated.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said: “Moments like this put everything in life into perspective.
“I wish Christian a fully and speedy recovery and pray his family has strength and faith.
“At these times the unity of the football family is so strong and he and his family carry with them the good wishes and prayers of everyone.
“I heard fans of both teams chanting his name. Football is beautiful and Christian plays it beautifully.”
