Belgium’s Euro 2024 qualifier in opposition to Sweden was suspended at half-time and subsequently deserted following the deadly taking pictures of two Swedes in Brussels on Monday night.
Belgium raised its terror alert to the best stage after a person, seen in a video on social media, claimed that he was the assailant and that he was from the Islamic State.
“Following a suspected terrorist assault in Brussels, 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,” Uefa stated in a press release.
Swedish reporters on the recreation stated they’d been knowledgeable of the assault simply earlier than the nationwide anthems had been performed. Each units of gamers advised Uefa they didn’t need to play the second half. The rating was stage at 1-1. Viktor Gyökeres had given Sweden a Fifteenth-minute lead earlier than Romelu Lukaku equalised.
Sweden’s supervisor Janne Andersson stated: “The workforce agreed 100% that we didn’t need to play on out of respect for the victims and their households.”
When information of the suspension got here the Sweden supporters had been requested to stay within the stadium. “Preparations to soundly escort supporters from the match out of the stadium are being examined,” Disaster Centre Belgium stated in a publish on X, previously generally known as Twitter. “Supporters shall be given extra info on the stadium. Please comply with the directions of the emergency providers.”
The 2 victims had been reported to have been carrying Sweden shirts after they had been shot.
“I really feel utterly shocked,” Sweden fan Pernilla Califf advised the Aftonbladet newspaper. “We don’t perceive something. Everyone seems to be taking off their Swedish shirts and becoming impartial garments. That is actually disagreeable.”
Belgium had already booked a spot on the finals in Germany subsequent 12 months, whereas Austria’s 1-0 win over Azerbaijan earlier on Monday meant Sweden couldn’t qualify.
Following the taking pictures on the Boulevard d’Ypres, the Belgium prime minister Alexander De Croo confirmed the victims had been Swedish.
“My deepest condolences to the kinfolk of this cowardly assault,” he wrote on social media. “I’ve simply provided my honest condolences to the Swedish PM following tonight’s harrowing assault on Swedish residents in Brussels. Our ideas are with the households and mates who misplaced their family members. As shut companions the struggle in opposition to terrorism is a joint one.”
Uefa added it could be making a “additional announcement in the end”.
