Lineker issues explanation for BBC’s controversial Eriksen coverage

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Gary Lineker has issued an explanation for the controversial coverage from the BBC of Christian Eriksen's collapse on the pitch in Copenhagen on Saturday.

It comes as news has broken that the Denmark star is in a stable condition in hospital.

The Danes had been taking on Finland, their first-ever match at the Euros, in Copenhagen with the scores locked at 0-0.

After around 40 minutes, Eriksen collapsed to the ground after a throw-in while Anthony Taylor immediately signalled for medical staff.

The Inter Milan star received CPR as the Danish players formed a wall around him to give him some privacy but the cameras continued to roll.

It drew waves of criticism on social media, who were unhappy that such distressing images were being broadcast.

And Lineker has moved to explain why the BBC continued to show Eriksen, as well as parts of the stadium who witnessed first-hand the harrowing scenes.

He tweeted: "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."

And the Match of the Day presenter added when the broadcast resumed: "Everyone at the BBC is hoping that Christian Eriksen makes a full recovery of course, and we apologise to anyone who was upset by the images broadcast.

"The 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."

After the BBC returned to the studio, Lineker, Micah Richards, Cesc Fabregas and Alex Scott were all in a state of shock.

The former Leicester striker said: “Well that’s one of the most distressing scenes I think I’ve ever seen at any football match.

“Christian Eriksen falling to the ground, his teammates surrounding him clearly distraught.

“Football truly put into perspective. I think the only thing I can think of remotely like that was Fabrice Muamba.

“He pulled through, let’s hope Christian pulls through as well. So distressing.”

  • Gary Lineker
  • BBC
  • Premier League

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