Belgium and Sweden footballers called their loved ones inside stadium after frightening terror attack

Belgium and Sweden fans came together after a dreadful terror attack in Brussels

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 17/10/2023

- 10:04

Updated: 17/10/2023

- 10:08

Two people were murdered by a gunman on Monday night

Belgium and Sweden footballers called their loved ones inside the King Baudouin Stadium on Monday night, reports say.

A gunman close to the ground killed two Sweden fans, with a third individual currently in hospital.


The incident took place less than an hour before Belgium and Sweden were due to face off in their Euro 2024 qualifying match.

The match was allowed to go ahead but, following protests from players, was called off at half time.

WATCH NOW: Belgium after terror attack

Belgium and Sweden fans had to wait inside the ground, with matchgoers from the latter country then escorted back to their hotel rooms by police at 4am.

According to the Daily Mail, as emotions ran high, players phoned up their loved ones.

Belgium winger Yannick Carrasco, who plays his football for Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab, was spotted on his phone near the touchline.

Debast Zeno was also pictured on the phone while pointing to the crowd and conversing with a nearby steward.

The pair were then permitted to go into the stands and collect family members who were there to watch the match.

They then journeyed back to the changing rooms, with security escorting them.

More and more details of what happened inside the ground are starting to emerge in the hours since the tragic incident.

Fans would applause occasionally whenever the tannoy announcement told them to be patient.

At 12:30am, fans had been allowed to leave the stands and go onto the concourse.

They were greeted by players and Sweden boss Janne Andersson. Others patiently waited in their seats.

The first Belgium fans were allowed to leave at around midnight in small numbers.

Sweden fans had to wait until 4am, however, before being allowed to return to their hotel rooms while escorted by security.

Andreas Richt, coordinator of the Swedish supporter organization Gula vaggen, has revealed how the news was received.

"The first thought was: 'How can we ensure that all Swedes arrive safely?'

"Immediately after that, people thought: 'How can we in any way try to understand what has happened and how we can help and send our thoughts to the victims' relatives?'

"There are so many thoughts that are spinning right now that you have never experienced before.

"I still lived in the US during 9/11, but this feels even worse."

Sweden head coach Andersson, meanwhile, shed light on his players' decision to not resume the match at half time.

"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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Yannick Carrasco

Yannick Carrasco called his loved ones after Belgium's match with Sweden was put on hold

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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."

Belgian authorities have since confirmed they have shot and apprehended the gunman responsible for the murders.

He was confronted by police in a cafe.

The man is believed to be from Tunisia and has carried out the attacks after a six-year-old Muslim boy was murdered in America.

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