Following the shooting deaths of two Swedish citizens in Brussels on Monday, some 400 supporters of Sweden spent the night in hotels under police protection. For security considerations, Sweden’s Euro 2024 qualifying match versus Belgium was called off at the half.
The King Baudouin Stadium was evacuated starting at approximately 22:45 BST, and the remaining patrons and employees left at 03:00 (04:00 local time). The players from Sweden have taken a plane back to their clubs.
The attacker was shot and killed by Brussels police on Tuesday morning. Alexander de Croo, the prime minister of Belgium, described the murders as “a harrowing act of terrorism” during a press conference on Tuesday.
The stadium, which is five kilometers (three miles) from the scene of the massacre, was deemed “the safest place” by Belgian officials and police, according to the Swedish Football Association (SvFF), who learned of the killings shortly before kickoff.
At halftime, the referees and players were informed that the score was 1-1. Victor Lindelof, a defender for Manchester United and captain of Sweden, remarked that the players felt “at ease” with security. “They explained that this is the safest place to be in Brussels,” he continued. Lindelof stated that since Belgium had qualified for Euro 2024 and Sweden had, what he saw “no reason” to rematch the match.
Lindelof expressed his shock and devastation over the horrific events in Brussels, particularly the callous assaults on our fellow Swedes.
“The inhumanity and brutality are beyond words. I would want to extend my sincere sympathies to the impacted individuals’ families and friends. Simultaneously, my condolences are sent to all the supporters who were in Belgium last night. Nobody should ever feel insecure about cheering on their team at a football game.”
According to Susanne Petersson, chair of the supporters’ organization Camp Sweden, Sweden fans were “uneasy and confused” as word of the shootings spread to the stadium.
