UEFA are planning a major CPR campaign around this summer’s Euros.
Three years ago, Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch during a Euro 2020 game with Finland after the Denmark star suffered a cardiac arrest. European football’s governing body deserves huge credit for really embracing the issue with a huge social media, poster and graphics campaign and a long term target of giving players CPR training.
Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland is one of their big name ambassadors while UEFA are rolling out a major programme offering emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation training to players at all levels of the game. England players will take part in the publicity push this summer and the campaign will be very noticeable for fans in stadium and watching on TV.
It was Denmark captain Simon Kjaer who became a worldwide hero for his quick intervention after Eriksen collapsed on the pitch in June 2021.
Kjaer was praised after rushing to clear space, then attempting CPR on his team mate and friend before allowing emergency medical services to take over. English referee Anthony Taylor also received praise at the time for his quick-thinking.
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UEFA will offer training across various tournaments and over 12,000 people will follow an in-person training course during the campaign. The programme will also include internal staff at UEFA and its 55 member associations, as well as teams and volunteers working at UEFA EURO 2024 in Germany this summer.
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said: “The focus of our campaign launched jointly by UEFA and the ERC is on the power of bystanders – everyday heroes who can turn critical moments into stories of hope and survival.
Players are set to be taught CPR as part of a major UEFA campaign (Getty Images)Who will win this summer's Euros? Share your predictions in the comments below
“Our mission is ambitious but attainable – to train over 100,000 fans in Europe. Even a simple chest compression within the first few minutes following a cardiac arrest can significantly increase survival chances and reduce the risk of long-term damage. So, get trained and save lives. These words are the essence of our shared mission and our hope for a healthier, safer, and more compassionate society.”
Football said it would learn lessons after what happened to Eriksen - and this campaign will make a genuine difference.
Havertz forces transfer rethink
Arsenal may have changed their transfer plans for this summer because of the huge success of Kai Havertz. There is no doubt that they have been looking for a new striker ahead of the transfer window to back up and compete with Gabriel Jesus.
But Havertz, 24, has gone from being an attacking midfielder in Mikel Arteta ’s eyes to a goalscoring machine with nine in the Premier League this season. They still have their eyes on a No9 but the profile might have changed towards a younger player who can have time to develop and mature while working with Arsenal boss Arteta.
That means a move for Brentford’s Ivan Toney is growing increasingly unlikely as the price tag and his age means they will probably look elsewhere. They like Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres but he moved to Portugal from Coventry City for £20m last summer and if clubs did not move for him then it seems unlikely they will break the bank just 12 months on. It would have to be the right deal.
Arsenal also like Brighton’s Evan Ferguson as the 19-year-old is one for the future. Arsenal’s priority is far more likely to be a winger to compete with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. Leandro Trossard is more versatile while the likes of Eddie Nketiah, Aaron Ramsdale, Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe are certain to attract interest and if any of them go the it would raise major funds for another reshuffle.
Arsenal also like Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi who may be seen as a long term option in deeper midfield alongside Declan Rice who has been a revelation this season.
World Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future grow
Tyler makes return
Martin Tyler is one of football’s best loved voices after his remarkable commentary career at Sky Sports and other broadcasters.
Tyler has made a very welcome return to games for Premier League Productions and has also teamed up with ex-Chelsea stadium announcer Neil Barnett for an excellent new podcast The Joy Of Football.
Martin Tyler is set to return (Getty Images)Deschamps gives 26-man verdict
France boss Didier Deschamps is passionately against any plan to expand to 26 man squads for this summer’s Euros.
Deschamps and the Germans voiced opposition to calls at a workshop for national coaches in Dusseldorf this week with France even suggesting they would only pick 23. Serbia first championed the idea of 26 players which has been the case for the last Euros which was played during Covid times and also the last World Cup which was a mid-season tournament. Holland have also been big supporters.
England boss Gareth Southgate will accept whatever decision is made but his big dislike of 26 player squads is, at the last Euros, national coaches could only name 23 in the match day party and so three players would have to sit in the stands.
That is bad for morale as Jason Sancho hated being among the odd men out, Ben White did not get changed on a couple of occasions and no-one wants to waste their time.
Didier Deschamps does not want a 26-man squad at the Euros (Getty Images)But actually finding space for three extra players on the bench or in dressing rooms is actually harder than it seems. UEFA did listen to all opinions and a decision is most likely to be made at the next coaches get-together on April 22.
However, the big positive for Southgate would be three extra slots might give him wriggle room to include Luke Shaw who is a huge player for England and yet is facing a race against time to be fit.
Don’t forget that Harry Maguire was in a similar position ahead of the last Euros, missed the opening games but went on to be a key player in the tournament. Similarly, James Maddison was a gamble ahead of the Qatar World Cup and then sat out most of it on the treatment table.
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