2 Swedes were shot near the football stadium where 35,000 fans were watching the game; The authorities suspect there is a risk of new attacks and have called for the sporting event to be suspended
The Euro 2024 qualifying match between the teams Belgium and Sweden was interrupted this Monday (October 16, 2023) after shots were fired in front of the Rei Balduíno stadium in Brussels. Two Swedish fans died.
Around 35,000 people watched the game.
UEFA, the organization that governs European football, confirmed the interruption of the game.
“Following a possible terrorist attack in Brussels this evening, after consultation with both teams and local police authorities, it has been decided that the Euro 2024 qualifier between Belgium and Sweden will be suspended. New information will be provided in due course,” the organization said on its profile on X (formerly Twitter).
A spokesman for the Belgian public prosecutor’s office, Eric van Duyse, told the media that the initial investigation is taking into account possible motivations on the part of extremist groups. This is one of the biggest fears of governments in Western Europe: that due to the Middle East conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip region, a wave of attacks could come across the continent for which there is no evidence yet. .
“A statement of responsibility was posted on social media overnight, recorded by an individual claiming to be the attacker. “This person claims to be inspired by the Islamic State,” Eric van Duyse said. “The Swedish nationality of the victims was identified as the probable cause of the attack. There is currently no evidence of a possible connection with the IsraeliPalestinian situation,” the Belgian spokesman added.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo lamented the deaths:
According to Swedish broadcaster TV6, reporters in the stadium were informed of the shots before the game began. At the end of the 1st half, the suspension was confirmed and players from both teams did not return to the field. Under the guidance of local police, fans remained in the stands for two hours before being escorted out of the stadium.
It was a draw 1:1. The Belgian team has already qualified for the competition, while the Swedish team is in 3rd place in their group and therefore has no chance of securing either group place.