Christian Eriksen will have a heart starter device implanted after his collapse during Denmark's Euro 2020 opener on Saturday, the team's doctor has confirmed in a statement.

The 29-year-old Inter Milan midfielder had to be resuscitated on the pitch at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen after slumping to the ground during the first half of his side's 1-0 Euro 2020 Group B defeat to Finland.

"After Christian has been through different heart examinations it has been decided that he should have an ICD (heart starter)," Dr Morten Boesen said.

Boesen continued: "This device is necessary after cardiac attack due to rhythm disturbances.

"Christian has accepted the solution and the plan has moreover been confirmed by specialists nationally and internationally who all recommend the same treatment.

"We encourage everybody to give Christian and his family peace and privacy the following time."

Professor Sanjay Sharma, who chairs the Football Association's expert cardiac consensus group, has expressed strong doubts over Eriksen playing professionally again after Saturday’s incident and said: "In the UK we’d be very strict about it."

Daley Blind, a close friend and former Ajax team-mate of Eriksen, has played in the Netherlands with an ICD fitted since twice experiencing cardiac symptoms during matches in 2019 and 2020. Blind was visibly emotional after he was substituted during the Netherlands' win over Ukraine, the day after Eriksen’s collapse.

Some have queried how Eriksen's cardiac issue could have gone undiagnosed despite a lengthy career at the highest level which would have included screening for heart conditions.

However, the nature of the problem plays a major role in any early diagnosis, as consultant cardiologist Dr Yvonne Smyth told listeners on RTÉ'S Today With Claire Byrne.

"There are so many different conditions, both structural problems with the heart like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, where the heart muscle is very thickened, and that would have caused the death of Cormac McAnallen, for example.

"While that's quite easy to diagnose based on an ECG, based on an electrocardiogram which is an ultrasound of the heart, there are other conditions which are much more subtle, much more difficult to diagnose that may not be structural problems. There may be wiring issues that you can't predict."

Denmark have this week been preparing for their second group fixture against Belgium and will return to the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen for that match on Thursday night.

Captain Simon Kjaer believes the game will give Denmark "peace in our minds" as they "play for Christian".

In a statement thanking everyone for their support, Kjaer said: "It has been some very special days, where football has not been the most important thing.

"A shock, that will be part of me – part of all of us – forever. The only thing that is important and really matters, is that Christian is OK.

"I am proud of how we reacted as a team and how we stood together in these difficult times. I am touched and grateful for all of the support.

"Today, we will enter the pitch against Belgium with Christian in our hearts and thoughts. It gives us peace in our minds, which allows us to focus on the game of football.

"We will play for Christian, and as always for all of Denmark. This is the greatest motivation for us all."

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Watch every game of Euro 2020 live and watch nightly highlights on RTÉ2 or RTÉ Player | 11 June to 11 July