Soccer

Belgium cancel training after Brussels attacks

Ireland’s Euro 2016 opponents due to play Portugal in the capital on March 29th

Belgium are scheduled to play Portugal at the King Baudouin Stadium on March 29th. Photograph: Getty
Belgium are scheduled to play Portugal at the King Baudouin Stadium on March 29th. Photograph: Getty
Tue Mar 22 2016 - 10:16

The Belgian national team have cancelled Tuesday’s scheduled training session out of respect for the victims of the Brussels attacks.

Belgium are set to play Portugal in an international friendly at Brussels’ King Baudouin Stadium on Tuesday, March 29th, but the fixture is now in doubt following suspected terrorist bomb attacks in the nation’s capital.

Brussels Airport was rocked by a double blast on Tuesday morning while another blast was reported by local media at a Metro station in the city. Several people are feared dead with many more injured.

A tweet from the Belgian team’s official account, BelRedDevils, read: “#tousensemble, our thoughts are with the victims. Football is not important today. Training cancelled.”

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Premier League players including Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen conveyed messages of alarm and support through Twitter.

Seventy-four time Belgium centre-back Vertonghen wrote: “Can’t believe I’m reading these things again...” while Mignolet tweeted: “#Zaventem” in reference to the location of Brussels Airport.

Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj added: "Horrible to see what is going on in Brussels #Zaventem"