16 October 2023 , 20:05
1050
0
Belgium's Euro 2024 qualifier against Sweden was abandoned after two people were shot dead in Brussels on Monday evening.
The horrific attack unfolded on the streets of the Belgian capital ahead of the game. The victims were Swedish, and it's believed they were wearing football shirts. It's unclear at this stage whether they were in Brussels to attend the match. Belgium's National Crisis Centre has confirmed a third victim, a taxi driver, was wounded but is now out of danger.
The first half of Monday night's game was played. Viktor Gyokeres opened the scoring for Sweden before Belgium's Romelu Lukaku converted a penalty to make it 1-1. The match was abandoned around 30 minutes after the half-time whistle.
"Due to the incidents in Brussels earlier tonight, play is suspended," wrote Belgium's official account on X. "Our thoughts are with all those affected."
Fans were initially asked to stay inside the King Baudouin Stadium for their own safety - with the gunman still at large - but the emergency services subsequently started to escort them away from the venue. More than 35,000 people attended the match.
Man Utd eyeing Belgian wonderkid, 18, as long-term answer to midfield problems
Sweden fans were given a police escort away from the ground, while their players were due to travel directly to the airport and return home.
It's believed the Swedish nationality of the victims was a possible motive for the attack. Belgium's National Crisis Centre has confirmed "urgent security measures have been taken to protect the Swedish supporters as best as possible".
Belgium's National Crisis Centre has also told fans exiting the King Baudouin Stadium to "follow the instructions of the emergency services" and "return home immediately".
There was an attack in Brussels on Monday evening (Getty Images)Sweden's official account on X added: "Take part in information from officials, authorities and staff on site. Keep calm and take care of each other. Our thoughts go out to all the relatives of those affected in Brussels."
It's claimed Sweden's players didn't want to continue the game following the attack, with Belgium's stars supporting that decision. A terrorism probe has been opened following the shooting the Boulevard d'Ypres, as police try to locate the gunman.
UEFA posted on X: "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. Further communication will be made in due course."
Sweden fans were forced to wait inside the stadium until it safe to leave (Getty Images)French President Emmanuel Macron claims Brussels was hit by an "Islamist terrorist attack", while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said has described it as a "despicable attack". She added: "Together, we stand united against terror."
Belgium's Prime Minister Alexander de Croo wrote on X: "I have just offered my sincere condolences to the Swedish Primer Minister Ulf Kristersson following tonight’s harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels. Our thoughts are with the families and friends who lost their loved ones. As close partners the fight against terrorism is a joint one."