Christian Eriksen will not be allowed to play in Italy unless Inter Milan star has ICD heart-starter removed, says medic

THE Italian FA have decided Christian Eriksen can only return to Serie A action if he is deemed fit enough to play.

Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest in a Euro 2020 match between Denmark and Finland in June.

He received treatment on the pitch before being taken to hospital, where he was fitted with an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator).

The director of the FIGC, the Italian FA’s technical-scientific committee, Franco Braconaro, has outlined the requirements Eriksen must meet if he is to play in Italy again.

But his fitness must not involve a reliance on an ICD heart-starter, Braconaro stated.

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As quoted by Sempreinter, he said: “Right now Eriksen could not be eligible to play. If the player’s ICD is removed because the pathology has been resolved, he can return to Inter.”

Eriksen was given an ICD to monitor his heart after his cardiac arrest, with the device also able to act as a defibrillator by sending small, sharp shocks to the heart if it stops beating.

It is in place as a safety measure, therefore, but the FIGC are not satisfied it is enough to allow Eriksen to return to the pitch.

But former Manchester United player Daley Blind, who plays for Ajax, was allowed to continue playing after being fitted with an ICD in 2019.

He has backed Eriksen to play again, blasting those who say he should not.

Blind said: “Look where I am today. This is why I say to everyone, ‘Leave Christian alone!’

“I felt I was ready and I felt comfortable to return once I got the green light from the doctors in the hospital and the medical staff at Ajax.

“There was no reason why I could not play at the top level again.

“The most important thing is that you have to feel free in your head.”

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