Fair Play Award to the Danish National Football Team

All of us, including those who love football and all sports, witnessed what happened on 12 June on the Denmark-Finland match, when in the 40th minutes Eriksen’s heart stopped, collapsed and his life became critical.

Both teams, especially the Danes were absolutely disciplined and respectful throughout the event with the heavy emotional burden of the ‘to be or not to be’ status of their team member. After a short time, the love of the sport and their teammate’s fight for his life led the Danish team to the decision to continue the match instead of postponing it for the next day, as proposed by their leaders, by doing so they also give their body and soul to the healing of their broken partner. They lost the match in a huge fight unfortunately, but they proved that solidarity, compassion and fighting for each other is the essential part of the sport without which there is no real sport.

The Award was presented by Dr. Jenő Kamuti, President of the International Fair Play Committee, accompanied by Gábor Deregán, Ambassador of the Award Ceremony and the prize was received by Simon Kjær, Danish professional footballer. Jenő Kamuti, World Champion, Olympic silver medalist former fencer, who is a surgeon-medical doctor in his civilian life, appreciates that well-prepared and emotional organisation what the team captain and the team created at that moment creating a dignified situation on the pitch before all the world.

Photo credited: Anders Kjærbye/fodboldbilleder.dk