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Belgium’s European qualifier against Sweden was abandoned on Monday night after two supporters were shot dead in a terrorist attack.
Two fans wearing Swedish football shirts were shot dead in Brussels ahead of the game and, with the perpetrator still yet to be captured, fans were locked inside the ground for their own safety as authorities called off the match at half time.
The game was level at 1-1 before it was abandoned, with Victor Gyokeres having given the visitors the lead before Romelu Lukaku’s equaliser from the penalty spot.
The killings occurred three miles away from the stadium, where over 35,000 fans attended to watch the Euro 2024 qualifier.
Confirming the match was abandoned, the Belgian FA said in a statement, “Due to the incidents in Brussels earlier tonight, play is suspended. Our thoughts are with all those affected.”
Shortly after, UEFA took to social media to deliver the following statement, indicating that “further communication” would arrive in due course.
It read, “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.”
Brussels was brought to a standstill after the gunman, claiming to be a member of ISIS, opened fire on a group of fans. A third is said to be seriously injured.
The gunman is said to have begun shooting at the men as they passed through Boulevard d’Ypres just a few minutes north of the city’s famous Grand Plaza.
The alleged attacker used the name ‘Slayem Slouma’ to boast about the two murders on Facebook, adding he sought to avenge the killing of a six-year-old US-Palestinian boy.
Following the brutal attack, the city’s terror alert has been raised to a level 4 – its highest.
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