The Euro 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden took a tragic turn as it was abandoned due to a shocking incident on Monday.
Just before kick-off, a gunman fatally shot two fans, causing the game to be disrupted. The incident occurred in close proximity to the stadium in Brussels, where more than 35,000 fans had gathered for the match.
In response to the ongoing threat, with the suspect still on the loose and reportedly targeting Swedish fans, Belgian authorities made the decision to keep the spectators inside the stadium for nearly three hours. The evacuation process commenced around midnight local time.
Inside the King Baudouin Stadium, fans showed solidarity by chanting “All together, all together.” Thousands of supporters from both teams joined in shouting “Sweden, Sweden!” in a display of unity.
Manu Leroy, the CEO of the Belgian soccer union, explained that the decision to proceed with the match was initially made to ensure the safety of fans, as the stadium was deemed the safest place at the time.
Eric Van Duyse, spokesperson for the federal prosecutor’s office, revealed that the investigation was focusing on the possibility of a terrorist motivation behind the shooting, adding an element of concern and urgency to the incident.
