"Stopping match was only right decision"

INTERVIEWS Jan Vertonghen played a prominent role Monday night in the decision to halt the Belgium-Sweden international following the terrorist murder of Swedish fans in Brussels. Along with captain Romelu Lukaku, he immediately agreed when Sweden asked them the question.


At halftime, the Belgian players still knew nothing. Then Swedish captain Victor Lindelöf came to tell them that the Swedes did not want to resume the match given the situation. Did the Belgians record international Vertonghen, along with captain Lukaku, take the floor. They went to inform the referee and UEFA official about Sweden's request and the fact that Belgium followed them in this.

It all happened very quickly. Between the moment we knew about the attack and the decision to cancel the match, only a few minutes went by. The people from Sweden, our side and the people from UEFA: we quickly agreed. This was the only right decision," Vertonghen said at the opening of a soccer pitch of his foundation in Westerlo. "A little after midnight we were able to leave the stadium."

Vertonghen played the entire first half, as did Ludwig Augustinsson for Sweden. Zeno Debast remained on the bench.

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