JUST as the rhythm of a hard-fought football match was establishing itself, a young man dropped to the turf in an alarming fashion that alerted everyone to the fact that something was seriously wrong. 

What followed was distressing. It also underlined in a microcosm all that is good and bad about our beautiful game.

First and foremost, we are all grateful for the fact Christian Eriksen is still alive. His collapse, and its dreadful immediate aftermath, near to the end of the first half during Denmark’s Euro 2020 clash with Finland last weekend was truly awful to behold. 

To see a personal tragedy befall a talented and previously healthy sportsperson was horrific to see. As was the disturbing impact it had on his partner, his teammates and all present at Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium.

The coverage from the host broadcaster was too immediate and too graphic to be regarded as anything other than unnecessary, and it was right that the BBC cut away from showing it, even if it did take them far too long to do so.

To watch a man fight for his life live on television was as unsettling as it was distasteful. 

Yet, while the footage was being shown, we were allowed a glimpse into uplifting courage and quiet dignity in a time of crisis.

From the ultra-professionalism of the medical team, heroically restarting Eriksen’s heart, to the empathy shown to his tearful partner from Kasper Schmeichel and Simon Kjaer, to the powerful act of solidarity expressed by his colleagues, supporting their stricken comrade by forming a shield around him when we all feared the worst. 

So, for Uefa to only allow them two options in terms of what to do next was simply not right. A pair of choices that were no choices at all. Restart the game once it had been confirmed Eriksen hadn’t died. Or play the next day. Both were unacceptable. 

People deal with distress differently. The time it takes individuals to deal with tragedy differs from person to person. There is no right or wrong answer in attempting to process trauma.

So for Uefa to present the Danish and Finland teams with such narrow options was as heartless as it was unfair and left a nasty taste in the mouth. 

For me, the replayed match wasn’t sport. For sport to mean anything it has to have context. A man nearly died and people were talking about offside. It didn’t sit well with me. 

For sport to mean something we have to believe in it. Of course sport reflects the agonies and anguishes we all experience as much as the joys and celebrations. 

But, as we all know, it is not life and death. And no, it is not more important than that. It is far less important — and that comes from someone who spends every waking minute thinking about sport, writing about sport, reading about sport or watching sport.

I believe sport is important, of course I do. But not when set against life or death. And for Uefa to make the players return to the field when they could so easily have abandoned the game and simply handed a point apiece to the teams was cruel. It also removed all meaning.

Because the only truly meaningful fact to take from that awful evening was that Christian Eriksen survived. 

……….

Amid all the football, I took a trip to watch my beloved Middlesex CCC this week in a dramatic game. 

It was wonderful to return to the press tent at the welcoming, tree-lined outground Radlett CC — including a beautiful weeping willow at midwicket — to see them take on Gloucestershire CCC in their T20 Vitality Blast match. 

Covid protocols were solid but unobtrusive and a healthy crowd enjoyed explosive striking from England’s World Cup winning captain Eoin Morgan. 

It was also good to savour young tyro Joe Cracknell’s (remember the name) impressive 67 off only 41 balls on the way to setting a target of 180 to chase.

Gloucestershire’s spirited response was gearing up to a tremendous finale before the heavens opened and Duckworth-Lewis intervened to hand the visitors a two run triumph after an enthralling contest.

After an enjoyable day out at Edgbaston the week before, it’s been great to be back watching live cricket this month. 

PS What I am (re)reading: Epic: In Search of the Soul of Sport, by Simon Barnes. In this week more than most perspective on sport is required. A sage observer and mesmerising stylist, Barnes doesn’t disappoint in this vital read. 

What I am listening to: Bob Dylan, Nashville Skyline. I am a relatively new convert to the genius that is Dylan, only getting into him over the last decade.

So I wouldn’t dream of claiming to know him, certainly not next to some of his more fervent fans.

Yet, in a busy and sometimes disconcerting world, he has an album to suit every mood and fluctuation, and this languid album put me in the perfect mood during the drive to Radlett. 

What I am watching: Spinwash. Behind the scenes footage of England’s disastrous 1993 tour of India.

Essential viewing not only for those who love cricket — and who have suffered with the vagaries of form exhibited by this country’s Test team over the years — but also for those who love well-made documentaries with empathy.

The footage of the team taking an 18-hour train ride across the vast country was as intriguing as it is unknowable for top-level players these days.