Christian Eriksen has been told by the Italian FA that he will be banned from playing in Serie A unless his heart-starting defibrillator is removed.
The 29-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest during Denmark’s opening EURO 2020 clash with Finland in June.
The Inter Milan star was resuscitated on the pitch before being fitted with an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) after his collapse in Copenhagen.
His playing future has been unclear, with Italy banning players at both amateur and professional levels from competing if they have any heart abnormalities by law.
Eriksen was given the device to monitor his heart, which is also able to send small shocks to the heart if it were to stop beating again, after medical tests.
The Sun now reports that Eriksen has been informed that he won’t be permitted to play with an ICD.
Franco Braconaro, the Italian FA’s technical-scientific director, has shared some insight into the circumstances which would surround the Inter midfielder being permitted to play again.
Whilst Eriksen would be welcomed back if he can prove his fitness, the reliance on an ICD would not be given the green light.
Braconaro explained: "Right now, Eriksen could not be eligible to play. If the player’s ICD is removed because the pathology has been resolved, he can return to Inter."
The Italian FA's stance is in line with the country’s strict protocol on players playing with heart abnormalities.
The Italian game is widely regarded as being one of the best in terms of health screenings.
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Despite Braconaro's comments, former Tottenham man Eriksen has been backed to continue playing by a familiar face from the Premier League.
Daley Blind, who played against Eriksen during his stay at Manchester United, has played ever since having an ICD fitted back in 2019.
The 30-year-old was diagnosed with an inflammation of his heart muscle after suffering a dizzy spell in a Champions League fixture before going on to have the heart-starter fitted.
He has since continued to play, including at this summer’s Euros.
The defender played for the Netherlands just days after Eriksen’s collapse.
The Ajax star previously said: "Look where I am today. This is why I say to everyone, ‘Leave Christian alone!’
“I felt I was ready and I felt comfortable to return once I got the green light from the doctors in the hospital and the medical staff at Ajax.
"There was no reason why I could not play at the top level again.
“The most important thing is that you have to feel free in your head."
Eriksen is currently recovering in Denmark following the incident last month.
The Danish midfielder has made over 60 appearances for Inter since his 2020 move from Tottenham Hotspur. Eriksen played a key role in the Italian side ending their 11-year domestic drought when they lifted the Serie A trophy last season.
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