Jakarta, 16 Juni 2021 — Asosiasi Pesepakbola Profesional Indonesia (APPI) as a representative of professional footballers in Indonesia is deeply saddened and expressed deep concern over what happened to Christian Eriksen, in the 2020 UEFA European Football Championship match between Denmark vs Finland on Saturday, 12 June 2021.
Christian Eriksen, fell and unconsciously knocked in the last minute of the first half while he was about to receive a throw from his team-mate. After receiving emergency medical treatment, Eriksen was taken from the field to the hospital in a conscious state. The Danish National Team doctor, Morten Boesen, confirmed that Eriksen had a heart attack and stated that prior to the arrival of the medical team on the field, Eriksen had received extraordinary first aid in the form of CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, a medical aid effort to restore breathing and circulation of blood) by his teammate, Simon Kjaer. Due to the swift collaboration of help from his teammates and the medical team, Eriksen was able to be brought back to his senses and is currently taking intensive treatment and recovery at the hospital.
“This is a serious lesson for all footballers in the world, including Indonesian footballers. The incident that happened to Eriksen is a lesson that players need to be aware of first aid to help injured colleagues in the middle of the game.” Firman Utina, Executive Committee (Exco) President of APPI.
Through this incident, APPI urges and evokes all elements in a football match, the importance of performing first aid in the form of CPR, because a heart attack experienced by Eriksen, is a common incident that can happen to anyone in very unexpected situations. CPR is a life-saving technique in an emergency, including a heart attack or drowning, where a person’s breathing or heartbeat completely stops. CPR can keep oxygen-rich blood flowing to the brain and other organs until emergency medical treatment can restore a normal heart rhythm.
APPI Exco Vice President, Andritany added, “Eriksen’s incident is unpredictable and fortunately there was a captain who understands how to provide first aid. My advice is that all (Indonesian) football stakeholders need to collaborate with each other to provide education to players and also work together with doctors on how to provide first aid for injuries that occur on the field during the match.”
In this regard, APPI focuses to provide awareness and education to professional footballers regarding the importance of performing first aid for minor and major injuries. APPI is currently communicating with stakeholders; PSSI, PT LIB, NOC Indonesia, and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to be able to immediately hold joint workshops and socialize the first aid skills.
For any media enquiries, please contact 081210104215 or info.appi@yahoo.co.id .
About APPI
Asosiasi Pesepakbola Profesional Indonesia (APPI) was officially formed in 2008. The vision and mission of APPI is to provide protection and education to Indonesian professional footballers and build solidarity between footballers. APPI is a key member of FIFPRO and FIFPRO is the only World Footballers Association recognized by FIFA. In Indonesia, APPI has also been registered as an association organization and has been legalized by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights.
