Christian Eriksen, Inter Milan’s midfielder, could be allowed to return to football in England if he passes a medical assessment by a sports physician acting for the Football Association.
The 29-year old has not played since suffering a cardiac arrest in Denmark’s opening Euro 2020 match with Finland on June 12.
Eriksen was taken to the hospital after he fell to the ground in Copenhagen’s first match.
Six days later the former Tottenham midfielder was fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, a type of pacemaker, which prevents him from being able to play in Italy.
Athletes are not allowed compete with a implanted heart defibrillator, as per the Cardiological Organisational Committee for Sports Fitness protocol. This protocol was last updated in 2017.
Inter and Eriksen have not made any decisions about his future. However, if the Danish international wants to return to action, he will need to join a league that allows him to play with an ICD. This is also the case for Daley Blind, Ajax defender, and the Premier League might be an option.
Christian Eriksen, Inter Milan’s star footballer, could be allowed to return to England.
“With regard to Christian Eriksen’s playing in England it is impossible to comment without knowing about his individual circumstances and the risks associated with them. According to an FA spokesperson, any assessment would be done individually.
A sports cardiologist in England would evaluate any player with a problem or abnormal heart screen.
‘We would expect a sports cardiologist be a member The FA Cardiac Consensus Panel. A group of experienced sports cardiologists advise The FA regarding these issues and provide consultation and screening expertise to our cardiac screening programs in professional football.
Eriksen has been fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, a type of pacemaker
He has not played since his cardiac arrest in the first Euro 2020 game between Denmark and Denmark.
“This would also be done with the team doctor, who usually looks after them. The cardiologist would assess the individual circumstances and risk and make a decision about whether the player should continue playing or not.
Any advice based on the results would have to be given with the player’s “own personal safety” in mind. The FA oversees around 1,500 cardiac screenings in professional football each year.
Although no player has been banned on the basis of a cardiac screen (although it is possible), all participants would be made aware about the risks they face if they continue to play.
Eriksen was a Spurs player for seven seasons before he joined Inter 2020. There, he helped Inter win Serie A. However, he will have the option to leave San Siro or have his ICD removed.
If he wants to return, he will need to join a league that allows him to play with an ICD
Eriksen’s future is uncertain, but the Premier League is an option.
A FA spokesperson stated that the FA would not ban anyone from playing based upon a cardiac screen.
‘Any risk is to a player alone and not to others on pitch. So it is an individual decision that each player makes with support and advice from those responsible for their medical wellbeing.
“In Italy, there’s a long-standing national cardiac screening policy that covers all sports participation. It does not allow for participation in cases of sudden cardiac death during exercise. This policy is not currently being used in the UK or other countries.