November 3 – Following the partnership between UEFA and the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) announced earlier this year, both parties combined to launch the ‘Get trained, save lives’ CPR campaign at the ERC’s annual congress in Barcelona.
UEFA and the ERC have organised training for more than 2,700 players, coaches, referees and officials as well as staff at various UEFA-hosted tournaments and finals such as the UEFA-CONMEBOL Women’s Finalissima at Wembley Stadium, the UEFA Nations League finals in the Netherlands and the UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals in Georgia and Romania.
Over 12,000 people will follow an in-person training course during the campaign, which 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.
Sudden cardiac arrest ranks as Europe’s third most common cause of death, affecting 1 in 1,000 individuals annually. With each passing minute, the chances of survival decline by 10%.
The concern surrounding cardiac issues in football reached an all-time high following Christian Eriksen’s cardiac incident during the Euro 2021 campaign whilst playing for his native Denmark. Fans from all over the world witnessed the terrifying ordeal live on television.
At the official launch of the campaign at the opening of the ERC congress in Barcelona, 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. 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.”
Professor Dr Koen Monsieurs, chair of the ERC, added: “By launching this campaign together with UEFA, our main objective is to reach a broader audience and preserve human life by making high-quality resuscitation available to all. Swift and appropriate intervention can double or even triple the chances of surviving a sudden cardiac arrest and save up to 100,000 lives a year across Europe. Training and education on CPR is essential for all, including young adults and football lovers worldwide.”
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1735230051labto1735230051ofdlr1735230051owedi1735230051sni@g1735230051niwe.1735230051yrrah1735230051