Brussels says it is “impossible” to host Belgium-Israel football match at Heysel

The city of Brussels has decided not to stage a scheduled football match between Belgium and Israel at the King Baudouin stadium on 6 September, due to the political situation in the Middle East, reports RTBF.

Holding the match in the capital would “undoubtedly cause significant consequences, demonstrations and counter-demonstrations, thus compromising the safety of spectators, players and residents of Brussels, but also our police forces,” it said in a statement.

“This is why the city of Brussels has informed the Royal Belgian FA that the organisation of this meeting is not possible at the King Baudoin stadium,” it added.

The city of Brussels said the decision was taken after an in-depth and widespread security assessment involving the federal government, local police and the football association.

MR leader opposes decision

The president of the liberal Mouvement Réformateur party, Georges-Louis Bouchez, urged Brussels mayor Philippe Close (PS) to authorise the Belgium-Israel match in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

"Our capital is no longer even capable of receiving the Israeli team. Do we realise what this represents for our democracy?” he said, adding that “the worst dictatorships do not suffer this humiliation”.

The city of Leuven has also refused to host the match at its football stadium due to security concerns.

Belgium is in Group A2 of the UEFA Nations League, alongside Israel, France and Italy.