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Belgian fans pictured cheering on their team against Andorra last October. Manu Fernandez

Belgium-Portugal soccer friendly moved from Brussels after terror attacks

The match takes place next Tuesday.

Updated 13.20pm

BELGIUM’S FRIENDLY INTERNATIONAL with Portugal, due to be played in Brussels next Tuesday, has been moved from the Belgian capital following the deadly explosions that rocked the city yesterday.

The game has instead been switched to the Portugal city of Leiria.

The Belgian Football Association has released the following statement today:

“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.

“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, Tuesday, March 29 at 20:45 (Belgian 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 (16:30). This training session will not be open to the supporters and the press.

“At 18:30, our national coach Marc Wilmots will give a press conference at the headquarters of the Belgian FA (Avenue Houba de Strooper 145, 1020 Brussels).”

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    Mute Brian Dunne
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 2:55 PM

    Credit for once to utd showing a bit of character and coming from behind. Decent point. Never a pen at the end

    25
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    Mute Cormac
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 3:01 PM

    @Brian Dunne: sloppy goals killing Utd. Both today avoidable. McGuire really struggled today. Bruno def has to be played beside Ugarte. Controlled the game when he went back there. Those two, Zirkee and Drugo only lads who can keep their heads high. Rest of the starters were useless.

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    Mute Sean O'Donovan
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    Feb 23rd 2025, 8:54 AM

    @Brian Dunne: de ligt clearly pulls young back how var got involved was just a disgrace.but when u consider var took three minutes to try and cancel out betos goal when he obviously onside it proves its corruption at its finest ud wonder do they go to the pub beforehand and pick up the var officials

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    Mute Michael Carroll
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 3:03 PM

    @ Brian Dunne. If that pen decison was at the other end i am sure you would be saying certain pen. eh Brian.

    22
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    Mute Brian Dunne
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 3:05 PM

    @Michael Carroll: no michael. I also called out ashley youngs dives while representing Manchester United

    17
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    Mute Cormac
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 3:06 PM

    @Michael Carroll: exact same as Tarkowski one on McGuire in first half. Slight pull on the jersey and player went down way too easily(McGuire and Young). Either both a penalty or neither are.

    11
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    Mute Fergus O'Connor
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 2:59 PM

    How times have changed when you’re devastated to draw with Manchester United

    19
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    Mute Mick O'K
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 5:33 PM

    @Fergus O’Connor: new stadium new times?

    3
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    Mute John arse
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 3:05 PM

    Yeah fantastic point for Utd-it has to be said. Still sitting pretty in 15th!

    11
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    Mute Alan Moloney
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 3:38 PM

    @John arse: very very poor this year and ne same again next year

    6
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    Mute ETH
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 3:40 PM

    I admire the ref for changing his mind,It doesn’t happen a lot but come on, Who falls down like that

    10
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    Mute Dessie
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 4:16 PM

    Couldn’t see that happening after 60 odd minutes. Take the point and run. Point more towards safety

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    Mute ecrowley ecrowley
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 5:06 PM

    @Dessie: Dessie, we’ve a fella on here who’d tell you you have to take the point, that’s what happens after a draw.
    Everton are no mugs since Moyes came back.

    5
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    Mute Seanie
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 5:11 PM

    @ecrowley ecrowley: paulie

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    Mute Seanie
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 5:11 PM

    @Dessie: Good sum off the game in fairness

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    Mute Declan O Connor
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 4:20 PM

    Awful for 70 mins,complete contrast for the remainder,never a pen,young has been doing that for over 20 yrs,he is some pro! Onana useless for the 2nd and his parry for the pen, big harry had a torrid game,de ligt is a poor player, roll on Ipswich,a win and united will be safe, how the mighty have fallen

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    Mute Brian Dunne
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 4:22 PM

    @Declan O Connor: I admire your optimism that you think united will beat Ipswich on Wednesday!

    5
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    Mute Graham
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 4:26 PM

    @Brian Dunne: Will the game be considered a relegation scrap? I can see Ipswich give United a fright, but United should have enough, are they willing to fight for it though?

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    Mute Brian Dunne
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 4:30 PM

    @Graham: I think united should be safe. 12 points I think off the bottom 3? Can’t see any of the bottom teams making that up. Still wouldn’t bet on them on wed, especially at home.

    3
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    Mute Graham
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 5:10 PM

    @Brian Dunne: I think, this season for United, the way it’s been for them, they are very lucky there are 3 very bad teams below them in the league.

    3
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    Mute Declan O Connor
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 5:13 PM

    @Brian Dunne: I wouldn’t put any of my own money on it Brian

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    Mute Michael Mullins
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 3:09 PM

    The pen would have been very soft but I’m surprised the ref changed his mind on it given it was awarded to begin with You can see both players tugging the shirt. The main angle shown to him on the screen wasn’t probably the one he needed either. Not to say it should have been a pen, but I’m not convinced that VAR actually functioned here. Maybe the right result was achieved I suppose but I wouldn’t say it clarifies much about VAR

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    Mute Jp Cleary
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 7:11 PM

    Is it just me or can anyone else see there is a problem when Casimero is being paid 4 hundred thousand euro a week.

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    Mute John arse
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 8:46 PM

    @Jp Cleary: yeah and he cost 60 million and now they can’t get rid of him!

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    Mute J P Ke
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 4:38 PM

    Abysmal for over an hour. Hojlund goes off and suddenly start playing football.

    Coincidence? I expect not

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    Mute Dave
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    Feb 22nd 2025, 6:53 PM

    Cant believe we lost all 3 points utd were awfull

    1
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