Belgium-Sweden Euro qualifier deserted after killings in Brussels

The Euro 2024 qualifier between Belgium and Sweden was suspended at halftime following a gunman fatally taking pictures two Swedish folks in Brussels earlier than kickoff.

The followers had been stored contained in the stadium for nearly two and half hours because the match was performed some 5 kilometers from the taking pictures within the middle of the Belgian capital, and greater than 35,000 followers attended the match.

“Following a suspected terrorist attack in Brussels this evening, it has been decided after consultation with the two teams and the local police authorities, that the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden is abandoned,” UEFA mentioned in an announcement on its web site.

Following a suspected terrorist assault in Brussels this night, it has been determined, after session with the 2 groups and the native police authorities, that the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden is deserted. Further communication shall be made in…

— UEFA (@UEFA) October 16, 2023

Swedish reporters on the recreation mentioned they’d been knowledgeable of the assault simply earlier than the nationwide anthems had been performed. Sweden’s gamers advised UEFA they didn’t wish to play the second half and the Belgians agreed, Swedish broadcaster TV6 mentioned.

The rating was stage at 1-1 when information of the suspension got here and Sweden’s followers had been requested to stay within the stadium.

“Arrangements to safely escort supporters from the Belgium-Sweden match out of the stadium are being examined,” Crisis Centre Belgium mentioned in a submit on social media platform X.

“Supporters will be given more information at the stadium. Please follow the instructions of the emergency services.”

🚨 Belgium-Sweden recreation has been suspended as gamers at the moment are refusing to emerge for the second half.

This occurs after two Swedish soccer followers had been shot lifeless in Brussels forward of tonight’s recreation.

The perpetrator stays on the free.

After first half the sport was not known as… pic.twitter.com/SiSukUWCPW

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 16, 2023

The two victims had been reported to have been carrying Sweden shirts once they had been shot, in line with Swedish media.

“I feel completely shocked,” Sweden fan Pernilla Califf advised the Aftonbladet newspaper. “We don’t understand anything. Everyone is taking off their Swedish shirts and changing into neutral clothes. This is really unpleasant.”

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Sweden captain Victor Lindelof mentioned at a information convention after the match was deserted that the gamers by no means felt in any hazard.

“Our security team handled it well and put us at ease. They explained that this is the safest place to be in Brussels,” Lindelof mentioned.

“Belgium are already qualified and we don’t have the opportunity to get to the European Championship, so I see no reason to play.”