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Premier League clubs and governing bodies send messages of support to Belgium as match against Sweden is abandoned after two people were killed in a terrorist attack near the King Baudouin Stadium

Premier League clubs and official governing bodies have sent their deepest condolences to people affected by the terror attack in Belgium that caused the nation’s European Championship qualifying match against Sweden to be abandoned.

Two supporters wearing Sweden football shirts were killed by a gunman who is still on the run as Belgium police embark on a manhunt to track down the alleged individual involved.

Fans are being kept inside the King Baudouin Stadium while searches intensify across the capital city of Brussels that has been brought to a standstill after the gunman, claiming to be a member of ISIS, opened fire on a group of fans. A third is said to be seriously injured.

The Belgium FA announced the match had been abandoned at half time where after consulting with players it was decided the game shouldn’t continue due to the ongoing incident.

Several Premier League players are among those locked inside the stadium alongside thousands of supporters including Manchester United defender Victor Lindelof, Tottenham‘s Dejan Kulusevski and Nottingham Forest‘s Anthony Elanga.

Premier League clubs have sent their deepest condolences to people affected by the terror attack in Belgium that caused the nation's European Qualifying match against Sweden to be abandoned

Premier League clubs have sent their deepest condolences to people affected by the terror attack in Belgium that caused the nation’s European Qualifying match against Sweden to be abandoned

Fans are being kept inside the King Baudouin Stadium while they wait for permission to leave

Fans are being kept inside the King Baudouin Stadium while they wait for permission to leave

Two Belgium supporters comfort one another after the match was abandoned

Two Belgium supporters comfort one another after the match was abandoned

Players returned to their dressing rooms but are also being kept inside the stadium

Players returned to their dressing rooms but are also being kept inside the stadium

Fans embraced each other during the terrifying moments as Belgian authorities locked them inside the stadium for their own safety

Fans embraced each other during the terrifying moments as Belgian authorities locked them inside the stadium for their own safety

Football clubs and official bodies have been quick to react to the evening’s devastating event and used their social media platforms to send messages of support.

The Belgian FA updated the world about the situation unfolding in the stadium, posting on X – formerly Twitter: ‘Due to the incidents in Brussels earlier tonight, play is suspended. Our thoughts are with all those affected.’

Nottingham Forest were one of the first Premier League clubs to issue a message of support, adding: ‘We send our deepest condolences to the friends and families of the two Swedish fans who tragically lost their lives in Belgium tonight.

‘Our thoughts go out to everyone who has been affected by these tragic events.’

The Welsh FA also expressed concern over the tragic incident that claimed the lives of two supporters and called for people in Brussels to stay safe.

‘Our thoughts are with all those affected. For those in Brussels, please stay safe,’ the Welsh FA tweeted.

Ireland’s FA similarly used their platform to reach out to supporters in Belgium, tweeting: ‘The FAI wishes to extend our deepest condolences to the Swedish fans, players and officials following tonight’s horrific incidents in Brussels. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims.’

The shooting took place in  Boulevard d'Ypres just a few minutes north of the city's famous Grand Plaza

The shooting took place in  Boulevard d’Ypres just a few minutes north of the city’s famous Grand Plaza

A map shows the location of the killing in Brussels city centre and that of the King Baudouin Stadium in the city's northwestern suburbs

A map shows the location of the killing in Brussels city centre and that of the King Baudouin Stadium in the city’s northwestern suburbs

Terrified Belgian and Swedish supporters were locked inside the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Monday after two fans were shot dead. The match was abandoned at half time

Terrified Belgian and Swedish supporters were locked inside the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Monday after two fans were shot dead. The match was abandoned at half time

UEFA issued a statement in response to the developing situation after the match was abandoned with Belgium already qualified for next year’s competition and Sweden unable to do so given results elsewhere.

Announcing the abandonment, UEFA stated: Following a suspected terrorist attack in Brussels this evening, it has been decided, after consultation with the two teams and the local police authorities, that the UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden is abandoned. Further communication will be made in due course.’ 

Players were eventually escorted out of the stadium and onto buses by police and security staff later in the evening.

Sweden head coach Janne Andersson revealed the teams were made aware of the incident at half time and agreed it was the correct decision to cancel the match.

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