UEFA threatened Denmark with a 3-0 loss if they failed to complete their match with Finland, Peter Schmeichel revealed.
Their match was stopped just before half-time when Christian Eriksen collapsed on the pitch.
He required CPR before being taken to hospital, where it was confirmed he was awake and stable following his cardiac arrest.
The Group B match was suspended but the teams returned to the pitch at 7.30pm to play out the remainder as Finland won 1-0.
Uefa said it was under Eriksen's request they finished it off.
But former Danish goalkeeper Schmeichel, whose son Kasper was in goal on Saturday, revealed his nation would have forfeited the match if they didn't complete it either on Saturday night or Sunday.
He told GMB: "They said the players insisted on playing. I know that not to be the truth. Or that’s how you see the truth.
"They were left with three options. One was to play immediately and get the last 50 minutes played.
"The next one was to come in yesterday at 12 noon and finish the 50 minutes.
"And the third option was to forfeit the game and lose 3-0.
WIN £50,000 with Dream Team Euros
Dream Team Euros is HERE!
The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.
And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the £50,000 jackpot.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!
Dream Team Euros
- £50,000 jackpot
- The best fantasy football game this summer
- Play in mini-leagues against your mates, colleagues, family members – and some hand-picked celebrities
- FREE to play
"So, you know, work it out for yourself. Is it the players’ wish to play? Did they have any choice really? I don’t think they had.
"And as you can hear from yesterday’s press conference, the coach seriously regrets putting the players back on the pitch."
Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand slammed Uefa for the 'tough choice' they were given regarding when to resume the game.
He said: "I think it was the wrong thing to make the decision between the two scenarios in this case.
"The players didn't know if they lost their best friend and they had to decide [whether to play].
It was wrong the players were put in this situation
"I have a feeling we shouldn't have played, to just get on the bus and go home and see what the next days brought.
"It was a tough message that the players had to try and make a decision. I have a sense that it was wrong the players were put in this situation.
"I am really proud to be the coach of a team that responded the way they did.
"Football showed its best face. Team spirit, compassion and love is what football is really about."
He also added some of his players will not be ready mentally to play on for the rest of the tournament as they process the shock of Saturday's events.
SunSport has contacted Uefa for comment.
Source: Read Full Article
