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Swedish supporters cried when they learned of the shooting action outside the stadium during the match between the Belgian National Team vs the Swedish National Team in the 2024 European Cup Qualification. Photo: Daily Mail
BRUSSELS – Two Swedish citizens were killed in an act of terror in Brussels, Belgium, which resulted in the match between the Belgian National Team (Timnas) and Sweden on the eighth matchday of the 2024 European Cup Qualification group phase being postponed. The shooting incident occurred shortly before the first half of the match, which ended in a 1-1 draw, at King Baudouin Stadium.
According to a Reuters report, Tuesday (17/10/2023) a shooting incident occurred close to the stadium, and the match was stopped after the Swedish national team heard shooting when they returned to the dressing room. Apart from the two Swedish citizens who died, three other people were injured as a result of the terrorist attack.
In a Reuters report, it was stated that a man claiming to be a member of ISIS had claimed responsibility for the attack through a video uploaded online.
The Belgian government has raised a high level of emergency status after this terrorist attack occurred, and the perpetrators of the attack have not yet been caught. Spectators inside King Baudouin Stadium were asked to remain in their seats.
The European Football Federation (UEFA) has decided to suspend the match between Belgium and Sweden due to security reasons. Currently, there has been no official announcement regarding when the match will resume.
“Following the suspected terrorist attack that occurred in Brussels this evening, after consultation with both teams and local police authorities, it has been decided that the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden is cancelled. Further communication will be made in due course,” read an official statement from UEFA.
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