Belgium and Sweden fans showed their spirit with emotional chants inside stadium after awful terror attack

Sweden Belgium

Belgium and Sweden football fans united in the wake of awful terror attack

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 17/10/2023

- 08:13

Two supporters were killed in Brussels after a gunman opened fire

Belgium and Sweden fans chanted 'all together, all together' while being kept inside the stadium following a terror attack in Brussels on Monday night.

A gunman opened fire and killed two Swedish fans prior to kick off at the King Baudouin Stadium, with a third injured.


Belgium and Sweden players then opted to call off the match and refused to play in the second half, according to widespread reports.

Viktor Gyokeres had given the visitors an early lead, with Roma striker Romelu Lukaku then equalising for his country.

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UEFA confirmed the game would be called off by saying: "Due to the incidents in Brussels earlier tonight, play is suspended.

"Our thoughts are with all those affected.

With the gunman on the loose, fans were kept inside the stadium until the early hours of the morning.

Sweden supporters were locked in until 4am, with the terrorist believed to be specifically targeting people from the country.

While stuck inside the ground, fans from both sides showed their spirit with chants of 'all together, all together'.

There is far more to life than football and their show of unity was touching on a tense evening for everybody involved.

Some matchgoers cried while attending the match, with images showing emotions running high.

The shooting took place in Boulevard d'Ypres, which is within three miles of the ground.

A third fan is recovering in hospital after being shot, while the suspected gunman has been shot and arrested by Belgian authorities.

Spokesman Eric Van Duyse confirmed the news earlier on Tuesday morning, saying: “This person claims to be inspired by Islamic State.

“The Swedish nationality of the victims was put forward as the probable motive.”

He also moved to allay fears the shootings were linked to the ongoing war in Gaza, too.

"At this time, no element indicates a possible link with the Israeli-Palestinian situation," he said.

The Swedish FA then released a statement of their own, saying: "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 SvFF (Swedish Football Association) 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."

Sweden head coach Janne Andersson confirmed last night that his players had wanted the game to be postponed due to fears over the safety of their fans.

"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?

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Emotional football fans console each other after Belgium's football match with Sweden was called off

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

Former Manchester United star Bojan Djordjic was emotional as he discussed the terrorist attack live on air.

"There is not only a darkness in Sweden, Europe, the world," he said.

"I'm holding back tears, we are talking about a game, a game. I love this game, but this life means everything and so much more.

"Two of our countrymen killed in cold-blood in the streets of Brussels.

Belgium blood

Blood is spotted on the floor in Belgium after two Sweden football fans were killed in the country

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"And we're supposed to play for another 45 minutes? The security, it's about 45 minutes, an hour.

"Let these fantastic Swedish supporters stay in the arena, keep the police on high alert, and get them safely to their hotels.

"Do you think a Swedish national player wants to go out and play another 45 minutes with this information? Who do we kid?

"We suspend games for empty plastic cups thrown. And we're supposed to play football?

"I love football, but please, it's not priority one, two or three right now. We are talking about reality.

"Honestly, do you guys even want to be on the air right now, to talk about football? It's a darkness, it's not only our society it's everything, it's all messed up. I'm holding back tears."

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