<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td class="document jq_ColDocument jq_ShareArea"> <div class="tooltipContent"> <div class="scrollContent jq_Content jq_langdir tinyscrollbar doctooltip-y fontsize_0"> <div class="viewport"> <div class="overview"> <h3 style="text-align: justify">The football friendly between Belgium and Spain scheduled for Tuesday in Brussels has been cancelled on the recommendation of the national crisis centre following Paris attacks, official sources said.</h3> <p style="text-align: justify">The centre, under the interior ministry, recommended the cancellation of the match after the terrorist threat level was Monday raised to three, or severe, for the whole country, representing a possible and credible threat, according to a statement.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"This threat particularly concerns heavily populated places," it said.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"A visible and reinforced police presence was requested for all major events with increased awareness at each. All citizens are also requested to be vigilant," the crisis centre added.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"Decisions are taken by the crisis centre, which includes all the security services," a Belgian government source told AFP, confirming that the match was cancelled.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">The Belgian Football Association (URBSFA) also confirmed the cancellation.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"At the end of the evening, the Belgian FA has been contacted by the government, which has made the recommendation not to have the Belgium-Spain match on Tuesday evening," the Belgian association said, as quoted by the Belga news agency.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"In consultation with the competent authorities and the Spanish national team, the Belgian FA has decided to cancel the meeting," it added.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"We deeply regret that a friendly match between two motivated teams is cancelled so late and we understand the disappointment of many supporters.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">"In view of these exceptional circumstances, we cannot however take any risk in security matters for our players and supporters," it said.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">Nearly 50,000 people were expected for the Tuesday evening clash between Belgium, number one in the FIFA rankings, and European champions Spain.</p> <p style="text-align: justify">After Friday's attacks in Paris, OCAM had already recommended greater police vigilance for major public events.</p> <p style="text-align: justify"><strong>By AFP</strong></p> </div> </div> </div> </div></td> . </tr> </tbody> </table>