BRUSSELS (AP) — Veteran midfielder Axel Witsel is the latest member of Belgium's so-called Golden Generation to end his international career.
The 34-year-old Witsel made 130 appearances in a 15-year career with Belgium, scoring 12 goals.
Sports on TV for May 13-14
May 12, 2023 GMT(All times Eastern)
WWI soldier finally finds resting place in Flanders Fields
May 10, 2023 GMTYPRES, Belgium (AP) — A World War I soldier finally found his resting place on Wednesday after he went missing at the height of the carnage in 1917 and his remains were found four years ago.
The brutality during the 1914-1918 war was such that hundreds of thousands of soldiers were killed in Belgium's sector on the Western Front but some were never accounted for.
US Soccer Federation hires Onyewu as vice president of sporting
May 10, 2023 GMTCHICAGO (AP) — Former defender Oguchi Onyewu was hired Wednesday by the U.S. Soccer Federation as vice president of sporting, a newly created role the governing body said is not a replacement for departed men's general manager Brian McBride.
Sports on TV for May 8-14
May 5, 2023 GMTAdv06
Belgium detains 7 on suspicion of planning terror attack
May 4, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Authorities have detained seven people, most of them Chechen origin, on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack in Belgium, the federal prosecutor's office said Thursday.
The office said in a statement that the suspects had not yet selected a precise target but police decided to pick them for questioning anyway.
Sports on TV for May 8-14
May 3, 2023 GMTAdv06
German officials seize cooked bats near Belgian border
April 12, 2023 GMTBERLIN (AP) — German officials seized cooked bats and nearly a ton of unrefrigerated fish after police stopped a van that had entered the country from Belgium, authorities said Wednesday.
Federal police said a patrol on Monday stopped the vehicle at a highway exit on the edge of the border city of Aachen, and found the bats under the fish.
De Bruyne stars, leads Belgium to 3-2 win in Germany
March 28, 2023 GMTCOLOGNE, Germany (AP) — Kevin De Bruyne steered Belgium to a 3-2 friendly win over Germany in new coach Domenico Tedesco’s return home on Tuesday.
De Bruyne set up both opening goals then sealed the victory just as Germany was threatening an equalizer after recovering from a very poor opening half hour.
Police in Belgium arrest 8 people in counterterrorism raids
March 28, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Police officers in Belgium have arrested eight people during counterterrorism raids across the country as part of operations aimed at thwarting possible attacks, the federal prosecutor's office said Tuesday.
South Africa’s Ramaphosa welcomes Belgium’s King Philippe
March 23, 2023 GMTJOHANNESBURG (AP) — South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilda to the capital Pretoria, lauded the European country for its assistance to Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic.
European competition draw lists
March 17, 2023 GMTNYON, Switzerland (AP) — Champions League
Belgium bans TikTok from government phones after US, EU
March 10, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium is banning TikTok from government phones over worries about cybersecurity, privacy and misinformation, the country's prime minister said Friday, mirroring recent action by other authorities in Europe and the U.S.
EU legal advisor: Homegrown player quotas clash with EU law
March 9, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — A senior legal adviser said Thursday that UEFA rules on homegrown players are partially incompatible with the European Union's free movement laws, although quotas might be legitimate in order to develop and recruit youngsters.
Benfica routs Brugge, reaches Champions League quarterfinals
March 7, 2023 GMTLISBON, Portugal (AP) — Benfica made it look easy again.
The Portuguese team continued its good run with a comfortable 5-1 win over Club Brugge on Tuesday to seal its spot in the quarterfinals of the Champions League for the second straight season.
Belgium defender Alderweireld quits international soccer
March 6, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Defender Toby Alderweireld, who was part of Belgium's so-called “Golden Generation” of players who finished third at the 2018 World Cup, is quitting international soccer, the Belgian federation said on Monday.
Massive farmers protest disrupts Brussels traffic
March 3, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Hundreds of tractors driven by angry farmers protesting a plan to cut nitrate levels converged on Brussels on Friday, creating major traffic disruption in Belgium's capital city.
The BB farmers union and several others combined efforts to gather more than 2,700 farm vehicles, according to Brussels police.
LuLa back with goals as Inter Milan prepares to face Porto
February 21, 2023 GMTMILAN (AP) — The LuLa attack is back for Inter Milan, just in time.
Both Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martínez scored for Inter in a 3-1 win over Udinese in Serie A, four days before the team faces Porto on Wednesday in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League.
Club Brugge looking for Champions League spark vs. Benfica
February 14, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Three months ago, Club Brugge was hailed as the Bayern of Belgium.
Now it's only in fourth place in the Belgian league as new coach Scott Parker struggles to spark a revival, and the Champions League will provide another tough test when two-time European champion Benfica visits in the round of 16 on Wednesday.
Materialise: Q4 Earnings Snapshot
February 14, 2023 GMTLEVUEN, Belgium (AP) — LEVUEN, Belgium (AP) — Materialise NV (MTLS) on Tuesday reported a fourth-quarter loss of $4.9 million, after reporting a profit in the same period a year earlier.
The Levuen, Belgium-based company said it had a loss of 8 cents per share.
EU lawmaker held for questioning in corruption scandal
February 10, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — A EU lawmaker linked to a corruption scandal that rocked the bloc's Parliament in December was detained for questioning as police conducted further raids, Belgium's federal prosecutor's office said Friday.
Polish bus comes off German highway and overturns; 35 hurt
February 10, 2023 GMTBERLIN (AP) — A bus traveling from Poland to Belgium came off a highway in eastern Germany on Friday and overturned, injuring 35 people, six of them seriously, officials said.
The accident happened on the A2 highway near Magdeburg, west of Berlin, in the early hours of the morning.
Belgian police seize $1.6 million in sex trafficking probe
February 8, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — About 1.5 million euros ($1.6 million) in cash were seized during raids in Belgium targeting an alleged criminal organization suspected of sending Chinese women to Europe and forcing them into prostitution, the federal prosecutor’s office said Wednesday.
Domenico Tedesco appointed as Belgium’s new head coach
February 8, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Domenico Tedesco has been appointed head coach of Belgium's national team with a mission to rebuild in the aftermath of the Red Devils' World Cup disappointment.
The Belgian federation said Wednesday that the 37-year-old German-Italian, who previously coached Schalke, Spartak Moscow and Leipzig, has signed a deal until after the European Championship next year in Germany.
Belgian police detain 25 in Chinese sex trafficking probe
February 7, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Belgian police detained 25 people Tuesday as part of a human trafficking probe targeting an alleged criminal organization suspected of sending Chinese women to Europe and forcing them into prostitution, the federal prosecutor's office said.
Olympic bans and boycotts go back a century
February 3, 2023 GMTUkraine and the three Baltic countries, all former Soviet republics, moved a step closer Friday to boycotting next year’s Paris Olympics because of the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes.
Belgian carnival town celebrates again after COVID hiatus
February 3, 2023 GMTBINCHE, Belgium (AP) — On a sunny winter morning heralding a radiant Mardi Gras, Beatrice and Karl Kersten don’t have a minute to spare.
In their warm workshop decorated with ancestral photos, the couple bend over their sewing machines.
9 held in Netherlands, Belgium over German ATM explosions
February 2, 2023 GMTBERLIN (AP) — Nine men suspected of involvement in blowing up dozens of cash machines in Germany and stealing some 5.2 million euros (nearly $5.7 million) have been arrested in the Netherlands and Belgium, German authorities said Thursday.
France braces for major transport woes from pension strikes
January 30, 2023 GMTPARIS (AP) — France's national rail operator is recommending that passengers stay home Tuesday to avoid strikes over pension reforms that are expected to cause major transport woes but largely spare high-speed links to Britain, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Germany to host Belgium for friendly as both teams rebuild
January 27, 2023 GMTFRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Germany will host Belgium for a friendly match in March as both teams look to move on from disappointing group-stage exits at the World Cup, the German soccer federation said Friday.
Arsenal sign Belgium winger Leandro Trossard from Brighton
January 20, 2023 GMTLONDON (AP) — Premier League leader Arsenal completed the signing of Brighton forward Leandro Trossard on Friday, one week after missing out on long-time transfer target Mykhailo Mudryk.
Belgium imposes tougher sanctions in fan violence crackdown
January 17, 2023 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — More than 1,800 stadium bans were imposed in Belgium during the 2021-22 soccer season along with larger fines as authorities tried to crack down on fan violence.
The sanctions “are a clear signal that bad behavior has no place in our soccer stadiums,” Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden said Tuesday.
Spain drops sedition charge against former Catalan leader
January 12, 2023 GMTMADRID (AP) — A Spanish judge has dropped sedition charges against former Catalan President Carles Puigdemont for his role in the region’s illegal secession push in 2017 that brought Spain’s most serious political crisis for decades.
Iran sentences Belgian aid worker to prison, lashes
January 11, 2023 GMTDUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran has sentenced a Belgian aid worker to a lengthy prison term and 74 lashes after convicting him of espionage in a closed-door trial, state media reported Tuesday.
Victims from Belgium describe NYC bike path attack at trial
January 11, 2023 GMTNEW YORK (AP) — Two Belgium women, one who lost her legs and another whose sister died, were among several witnesses who gave dramatic and sometimes emotional testimony Tuesday at the trial of a man facing terrorism charges for killing eight people and seriously injuring a dozen others in an attack on a New York City bicycle path five years ago.
Despite record cocaine seizures, drug cartels roil Europe
January 10, 2023 GMTANTWERP, Belgium (AP) — Each tiny plastic package was barely the size of a fingernail and weighed all of 0.2 grams. Still, the bags of white powder police seized in a Brussels cellar were yet another indication that a surge in cocaine and crack supply is hitting Europe hard.
New Portugal coach Martínez pledges to talk to Ronaldo
January 9, 2023 GMTLISBON, Portugal (AP) — Former Belgium coach Roberto Martínez was hired to lead Portugal's national team on Monday and pledged to respect Cristiano Ronaldo's history with the squad.
The Spaniard replaces Fernando Santos, who quit in December after Portugal’s elimination against Morocco in the quarterfinals of the World Cup.
Goffin beats big-serving Bublik in Auckland
January 9, 2023 GMTAUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — Belgium’s David Goffin has ousted fifth-seeded Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the ASB Tennis Classic in a match which produced an engrossing clash of styles.
Bosnian ski resorts suffer as Europe sees record warm winter
January 4, 2023 GMTSARAJEVO, Bosnia (AP) — The new year's festivities are over in Bosnia, and visitors to the country's winter resorts are packing to go home. Spring-like temperatures have left little or no snow on the mountains, and it's unclear when the next visitors will arrive.
Amazon may breach trademark rights over fake Louboutin ads
December 22, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Online retail giant Amazon could be held responsible for breaching luxury shoemaker Christian Louboutin's trademark rights over the sale of counterfeit red soled high-heeled shoes on its platform, the European Court of Justice ruled on Thursday.
Rights body urges Belgium to better assist asylum-seekers
December 21, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Europe’s top human rights body is urging Belgian authorities to provide better assistance to asylum-seekers after hundreds of people slept on Brussels streets in freezing temperature in recent weeks.
Italian court seeks data on Belgian prisons, in EU scandal
December 20, 2022 GMTBRESCIA, Italy (AP) — An Italian court said Tuesday that it will seek information on prison conditions in Belgium before ruling on whether to turn over a woman for possible trial in Brussels in an influence-peddling scandal that has rocked the European Parliament.
Italy court OKs handover in EU Parliament corruption case
December 19, 2022 GMTBRESCIA, Italy (AP) — An Italian court ruled Monday that a suspect in a major corruption scandal linked to the European Union’s parliament could be handed over to Belgium, where prosecutors are investigating a plan to peddle influence on behalf of Qatar and Morocco.
Morocco’s diaspora in Europe rallies behind World Cup squad
December 9, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — As early customers warm themselves up with hot drinks at the Café Tetouan in downtown Brussels, owner Hicham Achrayah buys Morocco’s flags from a street vendor who stopped by on a cold winter morning.
Belgium forward Hazard retires from international soccer
December 7, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Belgium forward Eden Hazard retired from international soccer on Wednesday, nearly a week after his country's aging generation of players was eliminated from the World Cup.
US, Belgium named among hosts for 6 F1 sprint races in 2023
December 7, 2022 GMTLONDON (AP) — The United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, and the famed Spa-Francorchamps track in Belgium will host their first sprint races on the Formula One calendar for next season.
Japan, Belgium to cooperate in chip production, development
December 6, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — A newly founded Japanese semiconductor company aiming to revive Japan’s chip industry signed an agreement on Tuesday to collaborate with a Belgian research organization in developing next-generation chips for production in Japan.
Trial of 10 accused over Brussels suicide attacks underway
December 5, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — More than six years after the deadliest peacetime attack on Belgian soil, the trial of 10 men accused over the suicide bombings at Brussels airport and a subway station started in earnest under high security on Monday.
Japan summons samurai spirit against Croatia at World Cup
December 4, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Japan defender Yuto Nagatomo has told his teammates they'll need to show “samurai spirit” in Monday's round-of-16 match against Croatia at the World Cup.
Survivors of Brussels suicide attacks seek closure at trial
December 4, 2022 GMTBRUSSELS (AP) — Jaana Mettala was six months pregnant and on her way to work when the bomb exploded in the heart of Brussels' European Union quarter. She suffered severe burns, but Mettala and her baby survived — 32 other people did not.
Belgium’s golden generation is over, where now for Martinez?
December 2, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — His eyes welling up, Roberto Martinez said his goodbyes and left, his next whereabouts unknown.
It is the end of an era for Belgium’s golden generation. But for the man who led it to third place at the 2018 World Cup, it is the beginning of something new.
Belgium out of World Cup as Croatia advances with 0-0 draw
December 1, 2022 GMTAL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — The ball reached Romelu Lukaku right in front of goal with seconds remaining. Score, and he'd send Belgium into the round of 16 of the World Cup.
Morocco reaches last 16 of World Cup, beats Canada 2-1
December 1, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Walid Regragui stood in the middle of a team huddle as his players reached out and patted him vigorously on the head. Then they threw their coach in the air, almost as if they had already won the World Cup.
Belgium coach Martinez leaving team after World Cup exit
December 1, 2022 GMTAL RAYYAN, Qatar (AP) — Roberto Martinez is leaving as coach of Belgium’s national team following Thursday’s World Cup exit.
“That was my last game for the national team,” the Spaniard said after a 0-0 draw with Croatia led to the team's elimination from the tournament in Qatar.
Belgium coach: ‘Golden Generation’ legacy is already set
November 30, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — Whether or not Belgium wins its decisive World Cup match against Croatia on Thursday, whether or not the Red Devils go on to finally win a major tournament, coach Roberto Martinez believes the legacy of the team’s “Golden Generation” is already firmly established.
Morocco looks to advance in World Cup, Canada hopes for win
November 30, 2022 GMTDOHA, Qatar (AP) — His nation on the verge of reaching the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time since 1986, Morocco coach Walid Regragui downplayed his role.
“There are other coaches that like to make you think that they’re magicians, they’re the ones, they’re puppeteers,” Regragui said through a translator on Wednesday.