Anderlecht striker Mbark Boussoufa is also left, he is currently injured and only due to resume playing for his club after the Belgian league's winter break on 19 January.

BBC: CHOOSE A SPORT

Nemec had three years left to run of a four-year contract with Racing Genk, so Hearts would have had to pay the Belgian Jupiler League club a transfer fee.

BBC: Nemec spurns Hearts for Germany

The goal was only the Belgian's second goal in the Premier League since joining City in August 2008.

BBC: Manchester City 2-0 Portsmouth

Villa took the lead through Christian Benteke's 19th league goal this season but the Belgian was sent off after the halftime break.

CNN: WIgan's shock FA Cup win keeps football romance alive

In the English Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur announced the signing of Belgian midfielder Mousa Dembele from London rivals Fulham.

CNN: Javi Martinez completes "complicated" transfer to Bayern

Another Premier League side, Tottenham , had to rely on a stunning late goal from Belgian international Moussa Dembele to progress against Lyon .

CNN: Europa League holders Atletico Madrid dumped out

Arsenal came into the match needing just a draw to qualify and on the back of a surprise 1-0 Premier League defeat at Sunderland -- and they were always in control against their Belgian opponents.

CNN: Liverpool crash out despite victory

The attack coincided with an Arab League meeting that was under way inside the Green Zone, in the presence of Belgian, German and Swiss experts, to discuss the formation of an Arab parliament, as stipulated by a summit of Arab leaders held in Baghdad last year.

WSJ: Wave of Deadly Attacks Hits Baghdad