In a stunning turn of events, UEFA has officially confirmed that the Euro 2024 qualifier match between Sweden and Belgium, marred by a terrifying shooting incident in Brussels, will not be replayed.
The match, locked at 1-1 when abandoned at half-time due to security concerns, will now stand with the half-time score as the final result, granting each team one point.
The decision comes after UEFA’s Executive Committee acknowledged the impossibility of resuming the match the following day. Both the Royal Belgian Football Association and the Swedish Football Association agreed not to play the remaining time, accepting the 1-1 scoreline as the ultimate outcome.
Despite the tragic circumstances surrounding the game, UEFA stated that the result would not impact Group F’s qualification standings, as Belgium was already qualified for UEFA EURO 2024, alongside Austria, while Sweden was mathematically eliminated.
Tragically, the match was overshadowed by a terror attack targeting Swedish citizens in Brussels, leading to the loss of two Swedish fans’ lives and severe injuries to another. The fans were kept inside the stadium for their safety until the early hours of the morning following the incident.
Furthermore, FIFA issued a statement expressing their solidarity with UEFA and the affected teams, stressing the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of players, officials, and fans during sporting events.
In another development, UEFA announced a suspension of all competition matches in Israel until further notice due to the ongoing conflict. The Israel Football Association and clubs Maccabi Haifa FC and Maccabi Tel-Aviv were directed to propose alternative venues outside Israel for their home matches, complying with UEFA regulations.
As a result, Maccabi Haifa’s Europa League clash against Villarreal has been rescheduled for December 6, 2023, while Maccabi Tel Aviv is set to face Zorya Luhansk on November 25, 2023, at an alternative venue, marking a significant shift in the football landscape amidst these challenging times.
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