Christian Eriksen has had a heart defibrillator implanted, but his career in Serie A is over if the ICD is permanent.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Denmark and Inter midfielder underwent surgery to implant a heart defibrillator yesterday. On Saturday, he suffered a cardiac arrest during his national team’s opening Euro 2020 game against Finland.
The paper reports that if the heart starter is permanent, Eriksen’s Serie A career will be over.
Eriksen operato: ora ha un defibrillatore nel cuore https://t.co/SQQlHGMlqD
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) June 17, 2021
La Gazzetta dello Sport explains that in Italy, it’s forbidden to play with a heart defibrillator implanted, as per the Cardiological Organizational Committee for Sports Fitness protocol, which was updated in 2017.
Any contact sport is forbidden in Italy with such a device implanted, while it is possible to continue playing in other leagues, such as the Eredivisie or the Premier League. Ajax and the Netherlands defender Daley Blind is an example as the Dutch centre-back has a heart starter implanted.
Former Inter midfielder Khalilou Fadiga was diagnosed with heart disease upon his arrival to Inter in 2002 and never played in a Nerazzurri shirt, but continued his career in the Premier League.
Italian authorities do not allow play any contact sport with a heart defibrillator implanted as any contact or hit could break the device.
However, if the ICD is not permanent, Eriksen could have a chance to return to play in Italy, but he would need to go through a complicated process and several medical checks to receive the availability.
Eriksen will be discharged from the hospital today and will have new medical examinations in 4-5 weeks in Milan.
If doctors prove the problem was temporary, the ICD could be removed, but Eriksen would need further examinations to receive permission to play in Serie A.
He would need to be given the green light by a special medical commission at the end of a ‘very complicated process’ and with many ‘critical points’ that give direct responsibility to the institute that must decide on the player’s fitness.