Current:Home > Contact-usSoccer match between Belgium and Sweden suspended after deadly shooting in Brussels-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Soccer match between Belgium and Sweden suspended after deadly shooting in Brussels
View Date:2024-12-23 20:17:20
BRUSSELS (AP) — A soccer match between host Belgium and Sweden was suspended at halftime Monday after two Swedes were killed in a shooting in central Brussels before kickoff.
Fans remained inside the King Baudouin stadium after the European Championship qualifier was stopped and chanted “All together, All together,” with thousands of supporters from both sides also shouting “Sweden, Sweden!”
The match was being played around 3 miles (5 kilometers) away from the shooting, with more than 35,000 fans attending. The teams were tied 1-1 at halftime.
“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,” UEFA said.
Belgium’s crisis center raised the level of threat in Brussels and its region to the highest and asked citizens to avoid unnecessary travel.
The Swedish FA said in a message to Swedish supporters on site that the Belgian police wanted supporters to stay in the arena for security reasons.
“Keep calm and take care of each other,” the FA said. “Our thoughts go out to all the relatives of those affected in Brussels.”
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo suggested the attack, which took place more than an hour before the match, was linked to “terrorism.” It was not immediately clear if the shooting was linked to the international uproar over the Israel-Hamas war.
“A horrible shooting in Brussels, and the perpetrator is actively being tracked down,” said Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden, adding that she was joining government talks at the National Crisis Center.
A police official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters, said the two victims were Swedes.
“We can’t play football in this situation. We and Belgium completely agree that we shouldn’t play,” Sweden coach Janne Andersson told Swedish website Fotbollskanalen.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
veryGood! (7)
Related
- Judith Jamison, a dancer both eloquent and elegant, led Ailey troupe to success over two decades
- A look at Russian missile attacks on Ukrainian targets since the war began in February 2022
- Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine vetoes bill banning gender-affirming care for transgender minors
- Gypsy Rose marks prison release by sharing 'first selfie of freedom' on social media
- Skiing legend Lindsey Vonn ends retirement, plans to return to competition
- SoundHound AI Stock has plunged. But could it be on the upswing next year?
- Shopping on New Year’s Day 2024? From Costco to Walmart, see what stores are open and closed
- Is California Overstating the Climate Benefit of Dairy Manure Methane Digesters?
- Powerball winning numbers for Nov. 9 drawing: Jackpot rises to $92 million
- Gunmen kill 6 people, wound 26 others in attack on party in northern Mexico border state
Ranking
- Prosecutors say some erroneous evidence was given jurors at ex-Sen. Bob Menendez’s bribery trial
- Navy Airman brings his brother to tears with a surprise wedding day reunion
- Tech company Catapult says NCAA looking at claims of security breach of football videos
- Federal agency orders recall of hazardous magnetic-ball kits sold at Walmart.com
- Jennifer Hudson, Kylie Minogue and Billy Porter to perform at Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade
- China to ease visa requirements for U.S. travelers in latest bid to boost tourism
- How Dickens did it: 'A Christmas Carol' debuted 180 years ago, and won hearts instantly
- Shopping on New Year’s Day 2024? From Costco to Walmart, see what stores are open and closed
Recommendation
-
Gisele Bündchen Makes First Major Appearance Since Pregnancy
-
Double Down on the Cast of Las Vegas Then and Now
-
Trump’s lawyers say he may testify at January trial over defamation damages in sex abuse case
-
'Wait Wait' for December 30, 2023: Happy Holidays from Wait Wait!
-
Taylor Swift drops Christmas merchandise collection, including for 'Tortured Poets' era
-
Stocks close out 2023 with a 24% gain, buoyed by a resilient economy
-
Taiwan’s presidential candidates emphasize peace in relations with Beijing
-
Casino smoking and boosting in-person gambling are among challenges for Atlantic City in 2024