Eriksen is not allowed to play in Italy with a defibrillator fitted
Inter Milan are reportedly preparing to cancel Christian Eriksen’s contract before the end of the year with the midfielder banned from playing in Italy after being fitted with a defibrillator.
The Inter midfielder was fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) after suffering a cardiac arrest while playing for Denmark against Finland at Euro 2020 in June, which regulates any further changes in his heartbeat.
Eriksen collapsed suddenly with no one near him, and received immediate CPR treatment from medical staff before being taken to hospital. He was released from hospital six days later after being fitted with an ICD.
The 29-year-old has not played since he collapsed and despite reportedly being keen on a return to action, he will not be allowed to do so in Italy.
Serie A rules block players who are fitted with a defibrillator from featuring in the league, meaning that a move away from the San Siro has always looked likely for the Dane.
Francesco Braconaro, a member of the Italian FA’s technical scientific committee, previously stated that the former Spurs man would need to have his defibrillator removed if he was to play in Italian football again – this is because it would show that he has no further heart problems.
Christian Eriksen and Inter could soon terminate the current contract by mutual agreement – the expectation is now clear, Gazzetta confirms today. 🇩🇰 #Inter
Inter supports and respects Christian – but the protocol of CONI bans Eriksen from playing in Serie A with defibrillator.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 15, 2021
Although Eriksen’s contract at Inter doesn’t expire until the summer of 2024, Italian publication Gazzetta della Sport are reporting that his deal could be terminated soon.
The report adds that ‘Inter supports and respects Eriksen’ and that allowing him to leave the club to play elsewhere is best for all parties.
Eriksen – who has played 60 times for Inter Milan since joining from Tottenham Hotspur in January 2020 – helped the Italian outfit to win their first Serie A title in 11 years last season.
The midfielder is yet to officially confirm that he is planning to return to professional football, but he has been using the training facilities of the football club he represented during his youth as he continues his rehabilitation.
Related links:
- Fabrice Muamba recalls seeing Christian Eriksen collapse during Euro 2020
- Simon Kjaer admits he’ll ‘never forget’ what happened to Eriksen, but says he must ‘move on’
- Christian Eriksen not allowed to play in Italy with fitted ICD
