Portugal To Host Belgium Friendly After Brussels Attacks

Portugal will host their friendly with Belgium after the match which was due to take place in Brussels was cancelled following Tuesday’s terrorist attacks. The Euro 2016 warm-up should have taken place next Tuesday in the Belgian capital but following Tuesday's events, in which at least 31 people were killed, the Belgian FA confirmed the game would not take place in Brussels.

The Portuguese then offered to host the match instead and the Belgians have agreed. It will take place in Leiria, central Portugal.  A statement from the Belgian FA said: “For reasons of safety and precaution, the City of Brussels has demanded the Belgian FA to cancel the match Belgium - Portugal on 29 March.  The match between our Red Devils and Portugal scheduled for Tuesday night at the King Baudouin Stadium will not take place”

The Belgian FA issued another statement on Wednesday afternoon confirming the switch: “Given the dramatic events of yesterday, in these difficult times to allow mass events to take place safely and given the terror level 4 at national level, the game against Portugal will not take place in Brussels next Tuesday. This was decided today in coordination with the authorities and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF). The Board of Directors of the Belgian FA has, in agreement with the national coach and coaching staff, decided to accept the proposal of the Portuguese Football Federation to play this match in Leiria, on the same day and at the same time. The Belgian FA appreciates the availability, flexibility and solutions offered by the Portuguese Federation. The FPF expresses its full solidarity with the Belgian FA in this tough and emotional period. This afternoon, our Belgian Red Devils will train behind closed doors at the King Baudouin Stadium”.