‘He was gone’ – Denmark’s team doctor confirms Christian Eriksen suffered cardiac arrest on the pitch and was close to death.

Denmark’s team doctor Morten Boesen has confirmed Christian Eriksen was ‘gone’ before being brought back to life on the pitch.

The 29-year-old Inter Milan midfielder suffered a cardiac arrest shortly before half-time of Denmark’s opening Euro 2020 group game against Finland on Saturday in Copenhagen.

Medics gave the footballer emergency treatment and were able to save his life using CPR and a defibrillator as his distraught teammates formed a protective ring around him. He is now in a stable condition in hospital.

‘He was gone,’ said Boesen. ‘We did cardiac resuscitation, it was cardiac arrest. How close were we? I don’t know. We got him back after one defib so that’s quite fast. We don’t have an explanation why it happened.’

In a statement on Twitter, the Danish FA said: ‘Latest news: this morning we have spoken to Christian Eriksen, who has sent his greetings to his team-mates.

‘His condition is stable and he continues to be hospitalised for further examination. The team and staff of the national team have received crisis assistance and will continue to be there for each other after this incident.