Belgium’s match against Sweden has been abandoned with players refusing to come out for the second half.
Two Swedish football fans wearing shirts were shot dead in Brussels ahead of the game, with the perpetrator still yet to be captured. Fans have also been locked in the ground.
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.’
Sweden’s official account on X wrote: ‘Message to Swedish supporters on site in Brussels: The Belgian police want Swedish supporters to stay in the arena for security reasons. Take part in information from officials, authorities and staff on site.
‘We will return when the Belgian authorities provide us with new information. Keep calm and take care of each other. Our thoughts go out to all the relatives of those affected in Brussels.’
Belgium’s game against Sweden has been suspended after two football fans were shot dead before the game
Fans have been locked in the stadium with the perpetrator still at large and the alleged gunman bosting about the killings
A third fan is seriously injured as the alleged attacked claimed to be a member of ISIS seeking to avenge the killing of a six-year-old US-Palestinian boy
Brussels was brought to a standstill after a 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.
The city’s terror alert has been raised to a level 4 – its highest.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo confirmed the victims were Swedish as he paid tribute to the lives lost.
‘My deepest condolences to the relatives of this cowardly attack in Brussels,’ he wrote on social media. ‘I have just offered my sincere condolences to Swedish PM following tonight’s harrowing attack on Swedish citizens in Brussels.
‘Our thoughts are with the families and friends who lost their loved ones. As close partners the fight against terrorism is a joint one.’
Players, fans and match officials observed a minute’s silence prior to match at King Baudouin Stadium on Monday
Uncertainty has engulfed the city, including those at the ground, with Belgian and Sweden both asking fans to remain inside
Speaking in Arabic, he celebrated the slaughter, and said he committed them in the name of ISIS.
Police confirmed that the man in the video – wearing an orange jacket, black scarf, yellow baseball hat and heavy black beard – was the one they were searching for in relation to the attack.
The game was level at 1-1 when a halt was called to proceedings at half time after Victor Gyokres had given the visitors the lead. Romelu Lukaku scored from the penalty spot to equalise.
Players involved in the game included Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans, Roma’s Lukaku and Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof.
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk