Search icon

News

16th Oct 2023

Euros qualifier abandoned after two fans shot dead

Joseph Loftus

The match has now been abandoned

Just hours ago news emerged that two people had been shot dead in central Brussels in what is now being treated as a terror attack.

The two victims were both wearing Swedish football shirts, reports Sky News, ahead of the nation’s Euro qualifier match against Belgium this evening.

The shooting took place 5km from the stadium just moments before the game began.

In footage shared to social media a man can be seen wearing an orange jacket carrying what appears to be a rifle.

Other videos have emerged of a man who says he is the killer and claims to be a “soldier of Allah”.

As the shooting happened just moments before kick off, the game went ahead as planned before being halted at half-time and eventually abandoned.

A Belgian broadcaster has claimed that both victims were male Swedish nationals.

A statement from Belgium Football said: “Due to the incidents in Brussels earlier tonight, play is suspended. Our thoughts are with all those affected.”

Uefa also released a statement reading: “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.”

Police are still reportedly searching for the suspect and fans are still locked down in the stadium until it is safe to leave.

The Prime Minister of Belgium also spoke out, saying: “My deepest condolences to the relatives of the cowardly assassination attempt in Brussels.

“I monitor developments together with the Ministers of Justice and Home Affairs from the national crisis center.

“We are monitoring the situation and would like to ask the residents of Brussels to be vigilant.”

Topics: