Football | Belgium team cancels practice after Brussels attacks

Belgium’s national soccer team called off a practice session in Brussels yesterday after the city was hit by what authorities are calling terror attacks. (More on page 15.)
“Our thoughts are with the victims. Football is not important today,” the Belgian soccer federation wrote in a Twitter message. “Training cancelled.”
Belgium will host Portugal in a friendly match next Tuesday at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels. The game is scheduled as a warmup for both teams ahead of this year’s European Championship.
The Portuguese soccer federation said it was in contact with Belgian authorities about security arrangements for the match.
Three explosions yesterday at the Brussels airport and a metro station have been called terror attacks by Belgian authorities. At least 15 people died and 55 were injured by a bomb at the Maelbeek metro station near European Union offices.
“Prayers & thoughts go to all families and friends of the victims,” Belgium midfielder Axel Witsel posted on his Twitter account.
One international soccer player was at the Zavantem airport where two explosions were reported. Norwich forward Dieumerci Mbokani, who is from Congo, was “unharmed but shaken by the tragic events,” the English club said in a statement.
Mbokani was visiting family in Brussels, where he played for Anderlecht for two seasons until 2013.
Belgium is now on high terror alert ahead of cycling’s peak season for one-day classic road races, including the Tour of Flanders on April 3.
The spring season starts today with the Dwars door Vlaanderen (Across Flanders) race, which covers a 200-kilometer (124-mile) route around Waregem in west Belgium.
Organizers met with police yesterday and later said in a statement the second-tier race would go ahead as planned.
“For the moment, Dwars door Vlaanderen will take place [today], despite the terrorist attacks that took place in Brussels on Tuesday morning,” the statement said. “The organizers mourn with the victims of these terrible acts. More information in due time.”
It was unclear if all riders and team officials intending to travel via Brussels airport would be able to arrive for the race. AP