Brussels metro plays French soccer anthem after losing World Cup bet

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Brussels commuters, heading to work the morning after Belgium’s painful World Cup loss to France, were forced to listen to the French soccer anthem piped through the city’s metro on Wednesday.

The reason: not only did the national team lose 1-0 in Tuesday’s semi-final but also the Brussels public transport authority (STIB) lost a bet with its Parisian counterpart (RATP).

One day before the match, STIB challenged RATP on social media by asking the Parisian transport company to change signs at its Saint-Lazare station to “Saint-Hazard” in honor of Belgian whirlwind midfielder Eden Hazard.

“Deal,” RATP accepted the challenge on Twitter. “[But] if we win, you broadcast Tous ensemble (All together), the French soccer team anthem by Jean-Philippe Smet (Johnny Hallyday). Ok for you?”

The bet between Brussels and Paris transport authorities. /Screenshot via Twitter

“Challenge accepted!” STIB replied. The two groups made the bet witnessed by thousands of followers, and netizens from both countries welcomed the challenge, leaving comments voicing support for their national teams.

One Twitter user ventured to tag London transport authority and Zagreb tourist board, inviting the two public services from semi-finalists Croatia and the UK to follow the suit.

Twitter user responded to the bet. /Screenshot via Twitter

On Tuesday, France beat Belgium and reached the World Cup final. The next morning, as commuters in Brussels boarded the metro, they had to endure the French soccer team’s anthem.

“A bet is a bet,” STIB wrote on Twitter while streaming a video showing people at one Brussels station listening to the French late rocker’s song “Tous ensemble”.

STIB uploaded footage showing "Tous ensemble" playing at one Brussels station. /Screenshot via Twitter

In response, RATP appreciated STIB for fulfilling its promise. “Respect!” The Parisian company replied, adding that they had prepared a new station plaque should France have lost the game.

RATP responded to STIB's twitter post. /Screenshot via Twitter

Croatia beat the UK on Wednesday and will face off with France for the final game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The match will be held at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia on July 15.

(With input from Reuters.)