Just before kick-off for the European Championship qualifier between Belgium and Sweden, the news came that several people had been shot in Brussels. Later, information came that two Swedes died in the act. Now union captain Janne Andersson has spoken out about the situation.
– When I came down during the break, I received this information. Immediately I feel that it is completely unreal. What kind of world do we live in today? Terribly sad, Andersson says at a press conference and continues:
– I came into the dressing room and when we started talking, we are 100 percent in agreement that we did not want to play on out of respect for the victims and their families.
“Almost started crying”
In that conversation, team captain Victor Nilsson Lindelöf took a big initiative, according to the national team captain.
– Belgium is already done and we don’t have the opportunity to get to the European Championship, so I see no reason to play. We wanted to get in touch with family and friends here right away to see that they are okay. Our security team handled it well and put us at ease. They explained that this is the safest place to be in Brussels. We felt safe here, says Nilsson Lindelöf.
Janne Andersson was touched when he concluded the press conference:
– People are shot in Sweden today in a way that is unreal. What have we gotten ourselves into? Swedish supporters who are supposed to support Sweden abroad are apparently also objects. I get so sad. As a Swede… I am very sorry. During the break I was supposed to have a good chat with the players but heard that and almost started crying. Extremely sad, all thoughts and sympathies to the families.