Terror in Brussels: Belgium vs. Sweden soccer match abandoned after gunman shoots two Swedes

Posted : 17 October 2023

n a dramatic turn of events, thousands of soccer fans found themselves confined within Belgium's national stadium for approximately 2½ hours as a European Championship qualifier between Belgium and Sweden was abruptly abandoned at halftime.

This decision was prompted by a horrifying incident in Brussels, where a gunman had fatally shot two Swedish individuals just before the game's kickoff. The match was underway only three miles away from the heart of the Belgian capital, with over 35,000 fans in attendance.

Faced with an armed assailant targeting Swedes and still at large, Belgian authorities opted to retain fans inside the stadium for their safety, initiating an evacuation around midnight local time.

Belgium's Interior Minister, Annelies Verlinden, reported that the suspect was subsequently shot dead by the police. She conveyed the reassuring news that "We have the good news that we found the individual" and that the weapon thought to be used in the shooting was recovered. However, the federal prosecutor's office exercised caution, stating, "There are strong presumptions but no certainties" regarding the suspect's identity. The man was confronted by law enforcement in the Schaerbeek neighborhood, where the rampage had occurred.

Amidst the uncertainty and tension, fans within the King Baudouin Stadium displayed unity, chanting "All together." This sentiment was echoed with shouts of "Sweden!" from supporters of both teams. The CEO of the Belgian soccer union, Manu Leroy, learned of the seriousness of the situation just ten minutes before kickoff, but it was determined that the stadium provided the safest refuge for fans at that moment.

The investigation subsequently revolved around the possibility of a terrorist motivation behind the shooting, particularly as a claim of responsibility was posted on social media by someone purporting to be the assailant, claiming inspiration from the Islamic State. The nationality of the Swedish victims appeared to be the probable motive. However, there was no immediate indication of a link to the Israeli-Palestinian situation. Security measures were swiftly enforced to protect Swedish supporters.

Fans exhibited patience, remaining within the stadium well into the night. The Swedish fans were the last to leave, with police providing a security corridor for their safe passage to the airport. This incident harkened back to the distressing scenes at the Stade de France in Paris during a match between France and Germany in 2015 when the stadium came under attack from Islamic State extremists.

UEFA confirmed the abandonment of the Belgium vs. Sweden match, citing a "suspected terrorist attack in Brussels." Belgium had already secured qualification for the 2024 championships, while Sweden's chances were dashed by Austria's earlier victory. Players and officials unanimously supported the decision to call off the match, which stood at a 1-1 draw at halftime.

Sweden's coach, Janne Andersson, expressed his sorrow, calling the situation "completely disgusting." Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo alluded to terrorism as a likely factor in the attack, raising the threat level in Brussels to the highest possible. Meanwhile, Sweden's captain, Victor Lindelof, reassured that players did not feel endangered and lauded the security team's handling of the situation. He emphasized that, given the circumstances, playing the match made no sense.

Terror in Brussels: Belgium vs. Sweden soccer match abandoned after gunman shoots two Swedes

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