European Championship qualification
The European Championship qualifier between Belgium and Sweden, which was canceled at half-time on Monday after an attack on Swedish fans in Brussels, is considered to be 1-1 at halftime. The European Football Association (UEFA) confirmed this after an executive committee decision on Thursday. “Each team will be credited with one point,” UEFA said.
19.10.2023 15.20
Online since yesterday, 3:20 p.m
As a result of the decision, Austria still has the chance of winning Group F before the last qualifying game; it is one point behind the Belgians, who have also already qualified for the 2024 finals in Germany. The ÖFB selection will face winless bottom team Estonia on November 16th, while Belgium will host Azerbaijan on November 19th.
On Monday evening, two Swedish supporters were shot and another person was wounded in Brussels. The suspected perpetrator, Abdesalem L., was shot by police during his arrest on Tuesday and died shortly afterwards. The crime scene is only around five kilometers from the King Baudouin Stadium: the protagonists found out about the incidents at halftime and therefore didn’t want to continue playing.
Belgium vs. Sweden is rated 1:1
According to UEFA, the European Championship qualifying match between Belgium and Sweden, which was canceled after the fatal attack on two Swedish football fans in Brussels, will be classified as a draw. Austria still has a chance of winning the group.
Surprising UEFA decision
ÖFB President Klaus Mitterdorfer welcomed UEFA’s approach. “The ÖFB supports this decision in the interests of sport. Given the events in Brussels – and unfortunately in so many parts of the world – results are taking a back seat. Football stands for connection between nations, peace, respect and tolerance. That must be our message more than ever,” said the Carinthian.
Even though Belgium and Sweden had voted for a score of 1:1, the decision to speak out against a continuation or new event was not necessarily to be expected. The competition rules state that the games should be played to the end, as ÖFB General Secretary Thomas Hollerer recently said. UEFA also decided that no games will continue to be played on Israeli soil.
