Belgium criticizes police response following delayed stadium arrival

During the UEFA Euro 2024 Group E soccer match between Ukraine and Belgium at the Stuttgart Arena, Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco was seen on the touchline gesturing. However, after the game, Tedesco complained about the difficult circumstances surrounding their late arrival at the match.

The Stuttgart police responded to Tedesco’s criticism, stating that the Belgians were to blame for their late arrival. The police had informed both the Belgian team and UEFA in advance that a travel time of 60 minutes was necessary, rather than the 40 minutes that the Belgians had planned for. Despite the police’s recommendation, the Belgian football association rejected their advice.

According to police spokesman Frank Belz, the bus transporting the Belgian team left the hotel three minutes late. During the escort, the bus speed had to be reduced to maintain the time gap between the arrivals of the two teams involved in the match. Tedesco expressed frustration over the slow journey, with every traffic light red and only two minutes for a preparation talk before the game.

Belz defended the police’s actions, stating that nothing unusual occurred during the escort of the Belgian bus. He emphasized that the Belgians had brought about their late arrival by insisting on the shorter travel time. Despite the challenges faced, Belgium managed to secure a spot in the last 16 of the tournament.