Due to the shooting deaths of two spectators prior to kickoff, the Euro 2024 qualification match between Belgium and Sweden was called off on Monday.
More than 35,000 supporters were present at the game, which was being played roughly five kilometres from the Brussels shooting.
Belgian authorities locked the stadium’s patrons inside for over three hours since the suspect was still on the loose and was allegedly pursuing Swedes.
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Around 1:00 a.m. local time, the evacuation process began.
After the game was called, spectators chanted “All together, all together,” and thousands of fans from both teams also yelled “Sweden, Sweden!” inside the King Baudouin Stadium.
The decision to hold the game was made in the first place because the stadium was the safest location to be at the moment, allowing the spectators to remain here and be safe, according to Manu Leroy, CEO of the Belgian Soccer Union.
According to federal prosecutor’s office spokesperson Eric Van Duyse, the focus of the investigation is “possible terrorist motivation for the shooting.”
