BRUSSELS (AP) — Sweden players were returning to their clubs Tuesday after taking an overnight flight home from Brussels following the suspension of their European Championship qualifier against Belgium at halftime because a gunman killed two Swedish nationals before kickoff.
It was around 4 a.m. local time when the last of the Swedish supporters — totaling about 650, according to the Swedish Football Association — left the stadium under police surveillance, along with some staff from the federation.
All hotels where Swedish supporters were staying were also guarded by police, the federation said.
Political Cartoons View All 1211 ImagesThe Swedish FA confirmed to The Associated Press that the national-team players were now making their way back to their clubs.
Brussels mayor Philippe Close told La Premiere radio that the game had not been regarded as a high-risk match.
Persons:
Swedish Football Association —, “, Annelies Verlinden, Martin Fredman, ”, ” Fredman, Caroline, Philippe Close, Thomas Meunier, Meunier, ___ ___ Douglas, Sylvain Plazy, Raf Casert, Lorne Cook
Organizations:
—, European Championship, Belgium, UEFA, King Baudouin, Swedish Football Association, Swedish FA, Associated Press, Belgian, Belgian Red Devils, Swedish, Brussels, Premiere
Locations:
BRUSSELS, — Sweden, Brussels, Belgium, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Swedish, Antwerp, Sundsvall