August 25 – Football awards are generally reserved for players and officials, however the medics who saved the life of Denmark’s Christian Eriksen at EURO 2020 are to be recognised with the 2021 UEFA President’s Award, alongside Danish captain Simon Kjær.
Eriksen’s suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on the field during Denmark’s group stage match against Finland at Parken Stadium in Copenhagen on 12 June.
The medical team’s rapid response and emergency treatment meant Eriksen was resuscitated on the pitch, and is now on the road to recovery.
UEFA said: “Simon Kjær shares the honour for his reaction in immediately helping Eriksen, as well as for the exceptional leadership qualities he displayed.”
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin said: “This year, the President’s Award transcends football. It serves as an important and eternal reminder of just how precious life is and puts everything in our lives into the clearest perspective,” he added. I would also like to send my very best wishes to Christian Eriksen and his family as he continues his recovery.”
Recipients of the 2021 UEFA President’s Award:
On-site medical team
Mogens Kreutzfeldt (chief medical officer)
Frederik Flensted (stadium medical manager)
Anders Boesen (pitchside emergency doctor)
Peder Ersgaard (paramedic)
UEFA Venue Medical Officers
Jens Kleinefeld
Valentin Velikov
Danish national medical team
Morten Skjoldager (physio accompanying the team doctor)
Morten Boesen (team doctor)
Simon Kjær (Denmark national team captain)
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