Two Swedish football fans were shot dead on Monday night in Brussels following their Euro 2024 qualifier clash with Belgium.
Sweden’s Euro 2024 qualifier was abandoned on Monday night following a suspected terrorist attack which left two Swedish fans dead in the Belgian capital.
The attacker was shot dead on Tuesday morning by police in a cafe.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo labelled the attacks as “harrowing.”
Sweden’s match was abandoned at half-time for security reasons related to the shootings.
The evacuation of fans and staff took four hours as security made sure the area was clear.
Police considered the King Baudouin Stadium the safest area to be while police searched for the perpetrator.
Swedish fans then spent the night in hotels guarded by the Belgian police.
Swedish Manager Janne Andersson said: “Everyone was very sad and all the players agreed not to continue the match.”
Swedish captain Victor Lindelof explained: “We discussed the remainder of the match with the team and the Belgians. The conclusion was not to play anymore. The most important thing is that the supporters are safe now.”
The attacker has been identified as a 45 year old Tunisian international named Abdesalem Lassoued.
Lassuoed’s motive was to avenge the death of a US-Palestinian boy.
The Belgian national Football Association wrote, “our thoughts are with all those affected.”
