Izuchukwu OkosiFollowing Monday’s murder of two Swedish nationals in Brussels, about 400 Sweden fans are reportedly spending the nights in hotels under police protection.
Sweden’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Belgium was abandoned at half-time for suspected terrorist attack that claimed the lives of the two Swedes.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Sweden players have since flown home and will return to their various clubs.
On Tuesday morning, police in Brussels shot the attacker dead after gun shot wounds.
Speaking at a news conference on Tuesday afterwards, Belgium Prime Minister Alexander de Croo described the killings “a harrowing act of terrorism”.
The Swedish Football Association (SvFF) said it received news of the killings just before the match, but it started as planned because Belgian authorities and police considered the stadium – 5km (three miles) from the location of the shooting – “the safest place”.
Players and officials were told at half-time, with the score 1-1. Sweden captain and Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof said security put the team “at ease”.
“They explained that this is the safest place to be in Brussels,” he said.
Lindelof said he saw “no reason” to replay the game as Belgium have qualified for Euro 2024 and Sweden can no longer do so.
Writing on X – formerly Twitter – on Tuesday, Lindelof said: “I’m shocked and devastated by the terrible incidents in Brussels with the cold-hearted attacks on our fellow Swedes.
“I’m lost for words for the cruelty and inhumanity. I want to send my deepest condolences to the families and friends of those affected.
“At the same time, my thoughts go out to all the supporters in Belgium last night. No-one should ever go to a game of football and feel unsafe when supporting their team.”
“Most are going home during the day today. We have been instructed to stay in and not to go out. Most are at their hotels until it’s time to go home.”
It has not been confirmed whether the victims were in Brussels to watch the match, although SvFF chair Fredrik Reinfeldt said: “What happened is a disgusting attack on innocent people who were going to a football match. We all feel enormous anger and sadness.”
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he was “shocked” and “saddened” by the shootings.
“On behalf of FIFA, and the global football family, I extend my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victims,” he said.
“Our thoughts are with the people of Belgium and Sweden, their respective national team players and football associations.”
On Tuesday night, a moment of silence were held at all Euro 2024 qualifiers in memory of the two victims.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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