Christian Eriksen’s heart disease could prevent him from playing in Serie A again, as league health and safety rules prohibit players with defibrillators who go to the pitch.
Eriksen is currently recovering from the cardiac arrest he suffered during Euro 2020, which led to worrying scenes in Denmark’s opening match with Finland.
Captain Simon Kjær came to the rescue, performed CPR and placed his teammate in a recovery position until he could get first aid from the medical staff. It may have saved his life in the end, as Eriksen soon rushed to the hospital where he was equipped with a defibrillator.
He was discharged from the hospital within a week, but it is unclear when – or if – he will return to the pitch.
Francesco Bracconaro, who serves on the Italian FA’s technical scientific committee, has highlighted Serie A’s rules for players in Eriksen’s position. He explained on the radio station Kiss Kiss Napoli that Italian football’s “conservative guidelines” mean that Eriksen will not be able to play for Inter until he has removed his defibrillator.
This is because the Italian FA takes its presence to mean that Eriksen is not suitable for elite sports.
“In Italy, we have very conservative guidelines for players’ health,” said the doctor. “Christian Eriksen can not be justified [to play in Serie A]. If the player removes the defibrillator and therefore confirms that the pathology can be resolved, he can return to play for Inter. “
Defibrillators and pacemakers can be removed, but the procedure is rare and risky. Doctors would only sanction a removal in Eriksen’s case if they were 100% sure that his cardiac arrest was an isolated incident, and it probably seems to take a while before that happens.
?? Is that something for you, Christian? @ ChrisEriksen8 | @dbulandshold | # EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/pwkudMJbJk
– FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) June 21, 2021
It is possible that we will see Eriksen play again, but Inter teammate Stefan de Vrij has called for patience and said that he “needs time” before a potential return is on the table.
“I talked to Eriksen when it happened,” he told the media. “I’ve been thinking about him for so long. Then I no longer bothered him because he has to get a lot of messages. He needs time to regain his condition. ”
