Belgium’s European qualifier against Sweden was abandoned on Monday night after two supporters were shot dead in a terrorist attack. 

Two fans wearing Swedish football shirts were shot dead in Brussels ahead of the game and, with the perpetrator still yet to be captured, fans were locked inside the ground for their own safety as authorities called off the match at half time.

The game was level at 1-1 before it was abandoned, with Victor Gyokeres having given the visitors the lead before Romelu Lukaku‘s equaliser from the penalty spot.

The killings occurred three miles away from the stadium, where over 35,000 fans attended to watch the Euro 2024 qualifier.  

Confirming the match was abandoned, 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.’

Terrified Belgian and Swedish supporters were locked inside the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Monday after two fans were shot dead. The match was abandoned at half time

Terrified Belgian and Swedish supporters were locked inside the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Monday after two fans were shot dead. The match was abandoned at half time

Terrified Belgian and Swedish supporters were locked inside the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Monday after two fans were shot dead. The match was abandoned at half time

The shooting took place in  Boulevard d'Ypres just a few minutes north of the city's famous Grand Plaza

The shooting took place in  Boulevard d'Ypres just a few minutes north of the city's famous Grand Plaza

The shooting took place in  Boulevard d’Ypres just a few minutes north of the city’s famous Grand Plaza

Police  at the site of a shooting incident in the Boulevard d'Ypres in Brussels

Police  at the site of a shooting incident in the Boulevard d'Ypres in Brussels

Police  at the site of a shooting incident in the Boulevard d’Ypres in Brussels

Fans embraced each other during the terrifying moments as Belgian authorities locked them inside the stadium for their own safety

Fans embraced each other during the terrifying moments as Belgian authorities locked them inside the stadium for their own safety

Fans embraced each other during the terrifying moments as Belgian authorities locked them inside the stadium for their own safety

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

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

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

A map shows the location of the killing in Brussels city centre and that of the King Baudouin Stadium in the city's northwestern suburbs

A map shows the location of the killing in Brussels city centre and that of the King Baudouin Stadium in the city's northwestern suburbs

A map shows the location of the killing in Brussels city centre and that of the King Baudouin Stadium in the city’s northwestern suburbs

Shortly after, UEFA took to social media to deliver the following statement, indicating that ‘further communication’ would arrive in due course.

It read: ‘Following a suspected terrorist attack in Brussels this evening, it has been decided, after consultation with the two teams and the local police authorities, that the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden is abandoned. Further communication will be made in due course. 

Meanwhile, 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.’ 

Brussels was brought to a standstill after the 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.

Following the brutal attack, the city’s terror alert has been raised to a level 4 – its highest. 

Police spokeswoman Ilse Vande Keere said officers arrived soon at the scene, and sealed off the immediate neighborhood. She declined to elaborate on circumstances of the shooting. 

As the terrified spectators waited inside the stadium to hear news from outside, Belgian fans began chanting ‘All together, all together’ to express their solidarity with the Swedish supporters. 

Shortly before 12pm local time, RMC Sport revealed that supporters were ‘gradually’ making their way out of the stadium, in accordance with protocol, more than two hours after the match had been called off.

Uncertainty has engulfed the city, including those at the ground, with Belgian and Sweden both asking fans to remain inside

Uncertainty has engulfed the city, including those at the ground, with Belgian and Sweden both asking fans to remain inside

Uncertainty has engulfed the city, including those at the ground, with Belgian and Sweden both asking fans to remain inside

A woman cuts a terrified figure as she calls somebody over the phone

A woman cuts a terrified figure as she calls somebody over the phone

Belgian police surround the stadium after the attack on Monday

Belgian police surround the stadium after the attack on Monday

As fearful fans were locked inside the King Baudouin Stadium (left), Belgian authorities raised the terror alert to its highest level in search of the perpetrator, who hasn’t yet been found

Swedish supporters anxiously check their mobile phones in the aftermath of the terror attack

Swedish supporters anxiously check their mobile phones in the aftermath of the terror attack

Swedish supporters anxiously check their mobile phones in the aftermath of the terror attack

At the other end of the ground Belgium fans look concerned as they look out on the empty field

At the other end of the ground Belgium fans look concerned as they look out on the empty field

At the other end of the ground Belgium fans look concerned as they look out on the empty field

Players, fans and match officials observed a minute's silence prior to match at King Baudouin Stadium on Monday

Players, fans and match officials observed a minute's silence prior to match at King Baudouin Stadium on Monday

Players, fans and match officials observed a minute’s silence prior to match at King Baudouin Stadium on Monday

Will Still, manager of Ligue 1 club Reims, was in the stands on Monday night and delivered an update from inside the ground and described the situation as a ‘blur’.

He told RMC: ‘We are still locked in the stadium, with no exit allowed. It’s a bit of a blur for everyone.’

Meanwhile, Sweden head coach Janne Andersson revealed to reporters after the match was suspended that he and his team were determined not to play out of respect for the victims.

‘When I came down for the break, I got this information,’ he said. ‘Immediately, I felt that it was completely unreal. What kind of world do we live in today?

‘I came into the locker room and when the team started talking we agreed 100 percent that we didn’t want to play on out of respect for the victims and their families.’

Manchester United and Sweden defender Victor Lindelof added: ‘Our security team handled it well and put us at ease. They explained that this is the safest place to be in Brussels.’

Belgium had already booked a place at the finals in Germany next year, while Austria’s 1-1 draw with Azerbaijan earlier on Monday meant Sweden could not qualify for Euro 2024.

‘Belgium are already qualified and we don’t have the opportunity to get to the European Championship, so I see no reason to play,’ Lindelof continued.

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.’

The shooting came at a time of increased vigilance linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war that has heightened tension in several European nations. At the same time, the Belgian capital has been the scene of increased violence linked to increasing international drug trafficking.

The match was abandoned at halftime after two Swedes were killed in a shooting in central Brussels before kickoff

The match was abandoned at halftime after two Swedes were killed in a shooting in central Brussels before kickoff

The match was abandoned at halftime after two Swedes were killed in a shooting in central Brussels before kickoff

A forensic examiner coombs the scene while Belgian police secure the area after a shooting in Brussels

A forensic examiner coombs the scene while Belgian police secure the area after a shooting in Brussels

A forensic examiner coombs the scene while Belgian police secure the area after a shooting in Brussels

Uproar among Sweden fans during the European Championship qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden

Uproar among Sweden fans during the European Championship qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden

Uproar among Sweden fans during the European Championship qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden

Belgian police officers walk as they secure the area in Boulevard d'Ypres, close to the canal

Belgian police officers walk as they secure the area in Boulevard d'Ypres, close to the canal

Belgian police officers walk as they secure the area in Boulevard d’Ypres, close to the canal

Police cordon off an area where a shooting took place in the center of Brussels

Police cordon off an area where a shooting took place in the center of Brussels

Police cordon off an area where a shooting took place in the center of Brussels

Investigators search the scene left behind by a suspect who is on the run, the Belgian capital's prosecutor's office said

Investigators search the scene left behind by a suspect who is on the run, the Belgian capital's prosecutor's office said

Investigators search the scene left behind by a suspect who is on the run, the Belgian capital’s prosecutor’s office said

This photograph shows the police cordon in place at the sight of the shooting in the Boulevard d'Ypres

This photograph shows the police cordon in place at the sight of the shooting in the Boulevard d'Ypres

This photograph shows the police cordon in place at the sight of the shooting in the Boulevard d’Ypres

Sweden raised its terror alert to the second-highest level in August after a series of public Quran-burnings by an Iraqi refugee living in Sweden resulted in threats from Islamic militant groups. 

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.

Players involved in the game included Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans, Roma’s Lukaku and Manchester United’s Victor Lindelof.

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