Call for defibrillators on all football fields after Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest | UK News

Following the cardiac arrest of the Dane Christian Eriksen on the pitch, the brother of a teenager who died playing football has renewed his call for defibrillators to be made compulsory on all grounds.

Ten years after his brother Kyle, 19, died while playing football, the death of another young player prompted Astley Mulholland to campaign for defibrillators on every football field.

“I was watching the Denmark game with my girlfriend and, to be honest with you, I was on the verge of tears,” Mulholland said.

“Seeing Christian Eriksen on the pitch brought it all back and made me think there is still a lot to be done to keep players safe at all levels of the game. “

Manchester United fan Kyle collapsed and died in 2005 during a five-a-side game on Merseyside. Before that, he had looked perfectly fit and healthy.

Mr Mulholland, who plays for Trafford FC in Manchester, says his loss has come as a huge shock to the family, with whom they still have not fully come to terms.

The petition he launched five years ago for the FA to provide defibrillators came after the death of another young player, Daniel Wilkinson of Shaw Cross.

It has collected 40,000 signatures – 100,000 are needed to force the government to discuss the issue in parliament.

His call to action has now been promoted on social media by Manchester United’s Jesse Lingard, and Mr Mulholland is hoping the high-profile endorsement can breathe new life into his campaign.

“The survival rate for people receiving CPR after cardiac arrest is about 60%,” Mulholland said.

“But with a defibrillator, too, survival rates go up to 74-80%.

“It’s a huge difference and it shows how important it is that this equipment is …