The BBC has apologised following complaints that it continued to broadcast as Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen received emergency treatment during his country’s Euro 2020 game against Finland.
The midfielder dropped to the ground at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen shortly before half-time, leaving players from both teams in clear distress.
Politicians and celebrities shared messages of support for the family of the former Tottenham player, who is reported to be awake and recovering in hospital.
In a statement, the BBC said: “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.”
The first round match between the two nations was suspended but resumed at 7.30pm “following the request made by players of both teams”, according to UEFA.
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 shown (we were too). Obviously these were the host pictures and out of our control. They should have stayed on a wide of the stadium. Apologies.
Advertisement— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) June 12, 2021
Denmark tweeted an update which read: “Christian Eriksen is awake and is (set) for further examinations at Rigshospitalet (hospital).”
Former Spurs striker Gary Lineker, who was in the BBC studio for the match, also apologised for the coverage but said they “were the host pictures and out of our control”.
He added: “They should have stayed on a wide of the stadium. Apologies.”
