By Samindra Kunti
November 16 – The Belgian FA KBVB have announced increased security measures for Belgium’s friendly against Spain tomorrow in Brussels following the Paris terrorist attacks.
The news of the Paris atrocities filtered through to fans and media at the King Baudouin Stadium on Friday night as Belgium defeated Italy 3-1 in an imposing manner. Notwithstanding the impressive result, Belgium coach Marc Wlimots focused on the terror attacks in his post-match press conference.
“It’s more important than football,” said Wilmots. “I want to talk of something more important than football,” said Wilmot after the match. “I’d like to express my solidarity with France and the French people. What happened was horrible. It’s a crazy world, it’s an incredibly grave attack.”
In the aftermath of the attacks Belgium emerged as a breeding ground for radical Islamist terrorists. On Sunday Belgian prosecutors disclosed that two of the perpetrators of the Paris attacks were French citizens living in Belgium. The Belgian authorities executed raids, leading to seven arrests of suspects believed to be connected with the attacks.
This morning Belgian police were believed to be close to arresting Abdeslam Salah, a 26-year-old man born in Belgium, in a suburb of Brussels, according to media reports. He has been indicated as a key suspect and possible mastermind behind the attacks.
In light of the security situation, the KBVB have implemented strict security measures for tomorrow’s visit of defending European champions Spain in Brussels. Fans will not be allowed to take bags to the stadium and extra checks will be carried out. Similar measures were introduced last month for Belgium’s EURO2016 qualifier against Israel.
In Belgium the terror alert level has been raised from level two to level three.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1731775028labto1731775028ofdlr1731775028owedi1731775028sni@i1731775028tnuk.1731775028ardni1731775028mas1731775028