On October 16, barely two hours before the European Championship qualifying match Belgium-Sweden, Abdesalem Lassoued – who identified himself as a supporter of IS – shot dead Kent Persson and Patrick Lundström as they were on their way to the King Baudouin stadium.
Their friend, Pelle, was also shot in the terrorist act. He survived, and on Friday he visited the national team at the National Arena.
– We are grateful that Pelle took the time to come and meet us. It means a lot to players and managers. He is a very nice person with whom it was fun to talk, while there were very strong feelings, says union captain Janne Andersson.
“Of course we will pay tribute”
Before the European Championship qualifier against Estonia, there will be a demonstration for the victims and their relatives. There will be a minute’s silence, the players will wear mourning bands and two yellow jerseys will be framed on the pitch with Persson and Lundström on their backs.
– It is clear that we will pay tribute to those supporters. I also think a lot about their families and loved ones, what they have had to endure. It’s terrible, says Ludwig Augustinsson.
Pelle and his family have received an invitation from the Swedish Football Association to the EC qualifying match against Estonia.