By Milcah Tanimu
A Euro 2024 qualifier match between Belgium and Sweden was abruptly halted in Brussels due to a tragic incident being treated as an act of terrorism. Two individuals were shot dead during the match, and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo confirmed that the victims were Swedish citizens.
The game at the King Baudouin Stadium was suspended following the shootings. The Belgian national team expressed solidarity with the victims and those affected by the incident. At half-time, with the score tied at 1-1 (Viktor Gyokeres for Sweden and Romelu Lukaku for Belgium), players from both teams collectively decided that the match should not continue.
Fans had to wait for over two hours before they were allowed to leave the stadium. The Swedish FA shared a message of support for the victims in Brussels.
Janne Andersson, Sweden’s manager, revealed that the decision to abandon the game was unanimous among the players, as a sign of respect for the victims and their families. Victor Lindelof, Sweden’s captain and Manchester United defender, expressed the team’s reassurance about security measures in Brussels.
UEFA, the governing body, confirmed the match’s abandonment following consultation with both teams and local police. The investigation into the tragic incident is ongoing, and further communication regarding the match and the situation in Brussels is anticipated.
Leave a Reply