Football fans at Wembley boo over minute’s silence for victims of Brussels and Israel – after police presence ramped up at England’s Euro 2024 qualifier match against Italy

• England and Italy players observed a well-respect minute of silence at Wembley
• Both teams paid tribute to two supporters killed in Belgium on Monday evening
• However some supporters in the ground booed during the moment of respect 
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast ‘It’s All Kicking Off!’

Boos echoed around some sections of Wembley as England and Italy players observed a minute silence before kick-off in tribute of those affected by the terror attack in Brussels on Monday and the ongoing crisis in Israel.

Belgium’s game against Sweden was abandoned at half time last night when news broke that a gunman was at large in the capital city after killing two people. Police eventually shot the attacker dead.

Thousands of supporters were kept locked inside at the King Baudouin Stadium for their own safety before being released in the early hours of the morning.

Tributes began to follow in honour of the two victims who tragically lost their lives, with England and Italy players also paying their respects before tonight’s fixture.

UEFA confirmed plans to observe what they described as a ‘moment of silence’ via their official X channel earlier in the day, with supporters gathered inside Wembley stadium asked to respect the occasion as well. Some did not.

England and Italy players observed a minute silence before kick-off at Wembley ahead of this evening’s European Championship qualifying match

England players and Italy stars observed the moment of silence before kick-off at Wembley

Some sections of Wembley booed and shouted while the moment of silence was being observed

Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti observed the moment of respect with his coaching staff in the dugout

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The European governing body tweeted: ‘A moment of silence will be observed at all UEFA EUR0 2024 qualifying matches tonight, in memory of the two victims of yesterday’s terrorist attack in Brussels ahead of the match between Belgium and Sweden.’

However, the silence was interrupted at times when sections of fans around the ground were heard shouting while the moment was being observed.

Boos were audible around some upper sections of the Wembley stands as football sought to pay it’s respects to football fans killed in recent days from UEFA member nations.

Aggravated fans breaking the silence shouted and booed, while others in the ground attempted to pay their respects despite the audible interruptions. Some clapped to drown out the boos.

The crowd then encouragingly roared both teams on at the end of the remembrance silence, however social media blasted the culprits in the ground who failed to show respect. 

One critic labelled the booing as ‘unacceptable’ adding: ‘Why do idiots have to ruin a minute’s silence?? Unacceptable.’

Another added: ‘Any England fan booing/jeering the one minute’s silence is a disgraceful human being.’

A third comment scathed the silence-breakers as ‘total morons’ in light of the tragic circumstances precursing the match, stating: ‘If you boo anyone’s national anthem, you are a bit of a moron. And if you whistle and shout during a minute’s silence, you’re a total moron. Shameful behaviour!’

Terrified Belgian and Swedish supporters were locked inside the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Monday after two fans were shot dead. The match was abandoned at half-time

Additional security was put in place at Wembley in response to the terrifying attack on Monday

While trapped inside the King Baudouin Stadium on Monday evening, Belgian supporters started singing ‘All Together, All Together’ in a show of solidarity with Swedish fans

Italy head coach Luciano Spalletti stood in his dugout dressed in a black suit and tie while surrounded by his coaching team before clapping once the whistle was blown to signal the match was ready to get underway.

Gareth Southgate similarly observed the moment while both sets of players – standing separately – locked arms with team-mates around the centre circle. 

Wembley ramped up their security before the match in response to the incident in Brussels that occurred just miles away from the stadium where Belgium and Sweden were playing.

Additional police officers were drafted in ahead of England’s match with Italy, with the Metropolitan police urging in a statement on Tuesday that fans will be ‘reassured’ by a ‘highly visible’ security presence during the game.

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