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Belgium’s friendly with Portugal called off in wake of Brussels attacks Belgium match with Portugal shifted from Brussels to Leiria after attacks
(about 4 hours later)
The friendly match between Belgium and Portugal has been called off in the wake of the Brussels bomb attacks. The friendly match between Belgium and Portugal has been moved from Brussels to Leiria in the wake of the bomb attacks in the Belgian capital.
Related: Belgium cancel training session after explosions in BrusselsRelated: Belgium cancel training session after explosions in Brussels
The 29 March match had been scheduled to take place at the King Baudouin Stadium in the city, but has been cancelled “for safety and precaution” at the request of the city of Brussels, according to a statement by the Belgian FA. The 29 March match had been scheduled to take place at the King Baudouin Stadium in the city, but on Wednesday the Belgian FA announced it had been cancelled “for safety and precaution” at the request of the city of Brussels.
The Belgian national team had not trained for a second day, calling off a scheduled session on Wednesday morning in the attacks that killed more than 30 people.The Belgian national team had not trained for a second day, calling off a scheduled session on Wednesday morning in the attacks that killed more than 30 people.
Belgian press reports had said the Belgium coach Marc Wilmots and his team’s players wanted to go ahead with the game and had rejected a possible plan to move it to Portugal.Belgian press reports had said the Belgium coach Marc Wilmots and his team’s players wanted to go ahead with the game and had rejected a possible plan to move it to Portugal.
In an earlier statement, the Belgian FA KBVB said: “We had been in contact with the Portuguese for much of Tuesday and consulted several different security authorities, although understandably they have been absorbed with more urgent matters.” However, on Wednesday after it was announced that the game was back on, and was indeed switching countries. In another statement, the Belgian FA said: “Given the dramatic events of yesterday, in these difficult times to allow mass events to take place safely and given the terror level 4 at national level, the game against Portugal will not take place in Brussels next Tuesday. This was decided today in coordination with the authorities and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).
“The board of directors of the Belgian FA has, in agreement with the national coach and coaching staff, decided to accept the proposal of the Portuguese Football Federation to play this match in Leiria, on the same day and at the same time.
“The Belgian FA appreciates the availability, flexibility and solutions offered by the Portuguese Federation. The FPF expresses its full solidarity with the Belgian FA in this tough and emotional period.
“This afternoon, our Belgian Red Devils will train behind closed doors at the King Baudouin Stadium.”
Belgium, who are one of the favourites for the European Championship finals in France, had their last international against Spain in November cancelled in the wake of the Paris attacks.Belgium, who are one of the favourites for the European Championship finals in France, had their last international against Spain in November cancelled in the wake of the Paris attacks.