UEFA has announced that the Euro 2024 qualifier between Belgium and Sweden will not be replayed.
The match was abandoned on October 17, 2023, at half-time, after two Swedish fans were shot dead outside the stadium.
UEFA said that the decision not to replay the match was made in consultation with the two teams and the local authorities. The statement said that “the safety of the players and spectators is of paramount importance” and that “UEFA does not believe that it would be possible to ensure the safety of everyone involved at a later date.”
The decision has been welcomed by the Swedish Football Association, which said that it was “the right decision” and that “the safety of our fans is always our top priority.”
The result of the match will stand as a 1-1 draw, with both teams awarded one point in Group F.
Meanwhile, the terrorist attack that interrupted the match has been linked to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict which has sparked protests across major cities in the world.
