The Belgian capital has decided not to host a UEFA Nations League match between Israel and Belgium scheduled for September due to security concerns linked to the ongoing situation in Gaza.
City officials in Brussels stated that hosting the match would present significant security challenges and would be difficult to organize. The game was planned to take place at the Stade Roi Baudouin on September 6.
Brussels’ first alderman, Benoit Hellings, explained that after thorough discussions with the federal government, police forces, and the Belgian Football Federation (URBSFA), it was determined that the game would likely provoke major demonstrations and counter-demonstrations. This could compromise the safety of spectators, players, residents, and police forces.
Hellings emphasized that the matches of the Belgian national team, the Red Devils, are usually moments of unity and togetherness. However, due to the humanitarian and security situation in Gaza and its repercussions, the city informed URBSFA that it would not be possible to host the match at the planned venue.
Despite the cancellation of this match, other matches in Belgium against France on October 14 and Italy on November 14 will proceed as scheduled.
Since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, there have been multiple pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Brussels. The city has been on high security alert, especially following a recent incident where a football game between Belgium and Sweden was suspended after a gunman fatally shot two Swedish fans in Brussels just before the game began.
