Belgium and Italy pay a solemn tribute to the Heysel disaster

Less than twenty‑four hours before the match, Belgium and Italy gathered at the King Baudouin Stadium to lay flowers in tribute to the Heysel disaster, which occurred forty‑one years earlier. This ceremony, marked by the presence of officials from both federations, recalls the tragedy that claimed the lives of thirty‑nine supporters.

The article is published under the Sports Football Red Devils section.

The text carries the label Discover, indicating the source of the press release.

Reminder of the Heysel disaster

On 29 May 1985, the day of the European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus, the catastrophe occurred.

A stand collapsed under the pressure of the supporters, resulting in the death of thirty‑nine people.

Six hundred other supporters were injured in the collapse.

Among the victims, thirty‑two were Italian.

Italian coach Roberto Mancini, technical director Claudio Ranieri, secretary‑general Marco Brunelli and central defender Giorgio Scalvini went to the stadium this Saturday to lay flowers.

On the Belgian side, federation president Pascale Van Damme and general manager Vincent Mannaert also laid their wreaths.

This joint gesture was described as a beautiful tribute to a tragic event shared by both countries.