Belgium-Sweden Euro qualifier abandoned after shooting،
The Euro 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden was abandoned at half-time after two Swedes were shot dead in Brussels earlier on Monday.
Belgium raised its terror alert to the highest level after a man claimed in a video on social media that he was the attacker and belonged to the Islamic State group.
“Following a suspected terrorist attack in Brussels this evening, it has been decided, after consultation with both teams and local police authorities, that the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden is abandoned,” it said. indicated UEFA in a press release published on its website. .
Swedish players told UEFA they did not want to play the second half and the Belgians agreed, Swedish channel TV6 reported.
Supporters remained inside the King Baudouin Stadium after the European Championship qualifying match was stopped and chanted “All together! All together!”
The match was played approximately 5 kilometers from the shooting location. The teams were tied 1-1 at halftime.
The Belgian crisis center asked citizens to avoid unnecessary travel, and the Swedish Football Association said in a message to the team’s fans there that Belgian police wanted fans to stay in the arena to security reasons.
“Keep calm and look after each other,” the FA said. “Our thoughts are with all the loved ones of those affected in Brussels.”
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo suggested the attack, which occurred more than an hour before the match, was linked to “terrorism”.
“A horrible shooting in Brussels, the perpetrator of which is actively sought,” said Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden, adding that she was participating in government talks at the National Crisis Center.
A police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to journalists, said both victims were Swedes.
Swedish coach Janne Andersson told a press conference that he had asked not to continue with the match.
“When I came down for the break, I got this information. Immediately, I felt that it was completely unreal. What kind of world do we live in today?” he told reporters.
“I walked into the locker room and when the team started talking, we were in 100 percent agreement that we didn’t want to continue the game, out of respect for the victims and their families.”
Swedish captain Victor Lindelof said at the press conference that the players never felt in danger.
“Our security team handled the situation well and made us feel comfortable. They explained to us that it was the safest place in Brussels,” Lindelof said. “Belgium is already qualified and we don’t have the opportunity to reach the European Championship, so I don’t see any reason to play.”
Belgium have already booked their place for Euro 2024 in Germany, while Sweden cannot qualify.
Information from Reuters and the Associated Press was used in this story.
