LAST UPDATE | 9 Sep 2022
THIS WEEKEND’S PREMIER League matches have been postponed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Football Association [FA] later moved to postpone all fixtures, with a statement reading:
“As a mark of respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, English football has united to postpone all football fixtures this weekend.”
Sports in the UK have were told is no obligation to cancel events this weekend following the Queen’s death on Thursday, but have been advised they may wish to cancel anything scheduled for the day of her state funeral.
Sports event organisers from across the UK were involved in a call with the government on Friday morning to discuss the staging of fixtures.
Official Government guidance on the period of mourning published on Friday morning appeared to give them the go-ahead to stage events as planned this weekend, but advised against putting on anything that would clash with her funeral.
No date has yet been fixed for that.
As a mark of respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, English football has united to postpone all football fixtures this weekend. pic.twitter.com/k6bqNu6arf
— The FA (@FA) September 9, 2022
“There is no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period, ” the Government guidance stated. “This is at the discretion of individual organisations.
“As a mark of respect, organisations might wish to consider cancelling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the State Funeral.
“They are under no obligation to do so and this is entirely at the discretion of individual organisations.
“If sporting fixtures or events are planned for the day of the State Funeral, organisations may want to adjust the event timings so they do not clash with the timings of the funeral service and associated processions.
As a mark of respect, and in keeping with the tone of National Mourning, organisers may wish to hold a period of silence and/or play the National Anthem at the start of events or sporting fixtures, and players may wish to wear black armbands.”
The Premier League made an announcement thereafter, with the the FA statement confirming the EFL and Women’s Super League would follow suit.
“At a meeting this morning, Premier League clubs paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II,” the top-flight statement read.
“To honour her extraordinary life and contribution to the nation, and as a mark of respect, this weekend’s Premier League match round will be postponed, including Monday evening’s game.
“Further updates regarding Premier League fixtures during the period of mourning will be provided in due course.”
As a mark of respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, this weekend’s Premier League match round will be postponed.
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 9, 2022
Richard Masters, Premier League Chief Executive, said within: “We and our clubs would like to pay tribute to Her Majesty’s long and unwavering service to our country.
“As our longest-serving monarch, she has been an inspiration and leaves behind an incredible legacy following a life of dedication.
“This is a tremendously sad time for not just the nation but also for the millions of people around the world who admired her, and we join together with all those in mourning her passing.”
Like in England, all football is also off in Scotland. “The Scottish FA, SPFL, SWPL and Highland & Lowland Leagues have agreed that all professional football matches will be postponed this weekend as a mark of respect following the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.”
The second day of the Test match between England and South Africa on Friday was cancelled on Thursday evening by the England and Wales Cricket Board, while organisers of the PGA Championship golf also suspended Friday’s play.
The Irish Football Association announced on Friday morning that football at all levels in Northern Ireland had been cancelled this weekend as a mark of respect.
The sixth stage of the Tour of Britain was initially cancelled before organisers later took the decision to cancel the remaining last two stages and use Thursday’s standings as final classification.
Friday’s Great North 5K will not take place, while the Scottish Rugby Union announced the suspension of all competitive domestic matches under its jurisdiction this weekend.
Rugby league’s Betfred Championship fixture between Sheffield Eagles and Dewsbury Rams on Friday has been postponed but the Super League Elimination Play-Off being played in Perpignan will go ahead with the players of Catalans Dragons and Leeds Rhinos wearing black armbands.
The SPFL’s cinch Championship contest between Dundee and Cove Rangers on Friday has been postponed with an update on Saturday’s fixtures scheduled for later in the day.
Play was suspended on the first day of the PGA Championship golf at Wentworth when news of the Queen’s death was announced, and the European Tour confirmed there would be no play on Friday.
“Out of respect for Her Majesty and the Royal Family, play has been suspended at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club for the remainder of Thursday and flags at Wentworth Club will be lowered to half-mast,” a Tour statement said.
Furthermore, no play will take place at the BMW PGA Championship on Friday and the golf course and practice facilities will be closed.
“Further updates on the resumption of play will be provided in due course.”
The British Boxing Board of Control confirmed that Savannah Marshall’s world middleweight title fight with Claressa Shields, which was due to take place on Saturday 10 September, has been postponed. In a statement, they said they are working to reschedule the bout for next month.
“We are working with all parties to provisionally reschedule for Saturday, 15th October, at the O2 in London.”
Manchester United’s home Europa League match with Real Sociedad went ahead on Thursday – as did Arsenal’s in Zurich – after receiving direction from the FA and Uefa, with a minute’s silence held before kick-off, teams wearing black armbands and flags flying at half-mast.
West Ham and Hearts, both at home, also played their Europa Conference League matches with similar marks of respect.
However, none of the English sides held press conferences after their matches.
