UEFA announced on Thursday that the result of Belgium’s European Championship qualifier against Sweden, which was canceled this week after two Swedish fans died before kick-off, remains valid.
The game was called off at halftime with the score at 1-1. Both the Belgian and Swedish federations had asked for this result to remain as the final result.
“The Belgian and Swedish Football Federations are satisfied with this decision,” the Belgian Football Federation said in a statement.
UEFA said: “The result of this match has no impact on qualification for Group F.” Belgium had qualified for next year’s tournament in Germany before playing Sweden.
Belgium leads the group ahead of Austria, who have qualified for the Euros.
“Football should be a celebration, but on Monday night, a despicable act decided otherwise. In moments like this, when the football family is heartbroken, the results of the sport take a backseat.” Belgian Football Association Interim CEO Manu Leroy said:
Investigators are trying to determine the motive behind Monday night’s attack, which took place not far from King Baudouin Stadium, where qualifying was held.
Authorities in the Belgian capital shot and killed the suspect on Tuesday, hours after they said he shot three Swedish fans, killing two of them. He posted a video online in which he claimed responsibility for the attack and said the Koran was “a red line that I am prepared to sacrifice myself for.”
Håkan Sjöstrand, CEO of the Swedish Football Federation, said: “We are pleased to hear that UEFA has reached a decision and that it is in line with the wishes of both federations.” “However, the issue of sport is secondary and our thoughts are with the victims and their families. It is shocking that an innocent Swedish supporter was the target of a terrorist attack, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds. It’s difficult to predict what the impact will be.”
At the match between Belgium and Sweden, a moment of silence will be observed in memory of the two fans who died.
The Belgian league said: “On the next match day, all matches will begin with a minute’s silence in memory of the two Swedish football fans who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks in Brussels. It will be held at both soccer stadiums in Sweden and Sweden. . ”