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The Belgian FA confirmed that their national team’s friendly against Spain scheduled for Tuesday will stand cancelled due to a security risk over the game, as per the BBC. The move came after the threat level in Belgium was raised to level three on Monday.
Following the attack in Paris, a number of international footballing commitments were thrust into the limelight. At the forefront was the question mark over France’s next friendly match against England. However, the football associations of both countries decided to play the game almost in defiance of the act of terrorism in the French capital.
Prosecutors in France, however, have identified Salah Abdeslam a Belgian national as the mastermind of the attacks in which 129 people were indiscriminately murdered. In light of this information, the threat level in the country was raised.
The Belgian FA, then in consultation with the Spanish footballing federation decided to call off the friendly to be held at the King Baudouin Stadium in the Belgian capital, Brussels.
“Taking into account the exceptional circumstances, we cannot take any security risk to our players and fans,” the Belgian FA said.
Adding that they “deeply regretted” the decision to call off the game and “understands the disappointment of many supporters”.
Meanwhile, a massive operation is currently underway to apprehend the 26-year-old Brussels-born suspect Salah Abdeslam who is the primary suspect. However, the manhunt also takes into account other partners or accomplices who may have been involved.
England v France won’t be a normal friendly says Hodgson
Speaking ahead of the game, England manager Roy Hodgson acknowledged the gravity of the situation and expressed that he believes it won’t be a normal game at Wembley. It will be one that transcends football, the BBC reported.
He said: “"I can't deny there's something hanging over which is far, far greater than a football match... That will be lingering whether we like it or not. I've never been in a football game like this before.”
In addition, Wembley is also preparing for the game in a special manner. They have already begun to display the French motto “Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite” on screens and will light the famous arch in the colours of the French flag. The English FA are also expecting a nearly full stadium, among who will be Prince William, who is the president of the Football Association.
Words of the French national anthem ‘La Marseillaise’ will also be put up on a screen inside Wembley so spectators can join in the chorus when it is played at the beginning of the game.
