The Conversation (0)
Sport
Indy100 Staff
Jun 12, 2021
Christian Eriksen is escorted off of the field by team mates and medics on a stretcher
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 (@The Poisonous Euros Atmosphere Fan) 1623517577
Agree with this 'til the chest compressions started. BBC should have cut away when the production hosts were clearl… https://t.co/QHF0TIv1MW— Zurab (@Zurab) 1623519759
The shots used in the match are horrific, but the BBC doesn't get to pick them - it's done by the host broadcaster,… https://t.co/monNjoOn5i— Chris Stokel-Walker (@Chris Stokel-Walker) 1623517599
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.… https://t.co/HGSmy53jR3— Seb Jenkins (@Seb Jenkins) 1623518622
It’s truly sad that the Denmark players had to protect Eriksen from shit organisations like the BBC I expect a lot… https://t.co/MZhknm3yKV— Adama (@Adama) 1623518503
The fact that the players had to form a shield against the BBC cameras filming Christian Eriksen is absolutely disg… https://t.co/wlroYbrjEP— Pøgba Senior (@Pøgba Senior) 1623518868
Some were particularly upset by images of his crying wife:
The BBC have just shown Eriksen’s wife crying, utterly disgusted— 𝓛𝓲𝓪𝓶 🐝 (@𝓛𝓲𝓪𝓶 🐝) 1623516992
The BBC didn't have control over the cameras on pitch, but they could - and should! - have cut to the studio much q… https://t.co/OHEjkvTo7n— Ash Sarkar (@Ash Sarkar) 1623518244
Between lingering zoomed in on Eriksen's face while he lay unmoving and then cutting to his devastated wife on the… https://t.co/CrAuVZ0a5P— Alexander Brown (@Alexander Brown) 1623517207
They panned to Eriksen’s partner as he was being resuscitated. That’s truly sickening. I cannot believe the BBC and… https://t.co/oDNiEIrzow— #TouchlineFracas (@#TouchlineFracas) 1623517636
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 s… https://t.co/52lKSJvsxD— Gary Lineker 💙 (@Gary Lineker 💙) 1623521748
Eriksen is now awake and stable in hospital, according to the Danish Football Association.