Belgium, Sweden match abandoned after fans killed in suspected terrorist attack near stadium
The European football governing body, UEFA, has confirmed that the 2024 European Championship qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden has been abandoned after two Swedish fans were killed in a suspected terrorist attack in Brussels on Monday evening.
“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 said in a statement.
The incident occurred before the kick-off of the important match at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Monday. The game initially started, but players from both teams refused to return to the pitch for the second half after reaching an agreement during half-time, abruptly ending the match.
The shooting took place three miles away from the stadium where the game was being played, leading authorities to lock down the stadium, which was filled with thousands of Belgian and Swedish fans. UEFA announced that “further communication will be made in due course.”
Local media reported that the attacker carried out the shooting on behalf of the terrorist organisation Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Prosecutors have confirmed that they are treating the shootings as acts of terrorism.
Meanwhile, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and local media have confirmed that the victims were Swedish.
Belgium, like other Western nations, has raised its terrorism alert level to the highest. This move is believed to be connected to the ongoing conflict between the State of Israel and the terror group Hamas following last week’s attacks in Israel.
Most countries around the world, especially those that have shown support for Israel, are now preparing for the possibility of retaliatory attacks by sympathisers of Hamas.
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