The Premier League (PL) announced it will donate automated external defibrillators to more than 2,000 grassroots football sites in the wake of Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest at Euro 2020. A few weeks back, Eriksen collapsed during Denmark’s match against Finland at the Euro 2020 and only survived after being resuscitated on the pitch.
This led to renewed calls for defibrillators to be made more accessible, which have resulted in the Premier League working in partnership with the Football Foundation and Football Association (FA) to make the life-saving devices available to sites across the UK over the next few months. Richard Masters, Premier League chief executive said, “The welfare of participants and all those involved in football is a priority and this fund will support many people using football facilities not just with the provision of devices but also the training required to use the equipment. A sudden cardiac arrest could happen anytime, anywhere and we hope by enabling more facilities to have a device, it will make the difference in saving someone’s life.”
Fabrice Muamba was forced to retire after he suffered a cardiac arrest in 2012 during the match, he said, “I urge clubs to take advantage of defibrillator fund and FA’s training scheme, and give confidence to players that their health and welfare is the top priority.”
