The Premier League and EFL have postponed their fixtures this weekend following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday.
The footballing bodies held an emergency meeting with the Government on Friday morning to decide whether to postpone the weekend’s fixtures and have opted to cancel all games as a show of respect to the monarch after her 70-year reign, as the UK enters a period of national mourning.
They will make a further announcement about next weekend’s games in due course.
Decisions regarding postponements were determined following consideration of official mourning guidance, issued by the Cabinet Office, although it is left to individual sports event organisers to decide how to proceed – with cancellations not being mandatory.
After the Queen’s death was announced around 6.30pm BST on Thursday, Manchester United’s Europa League clash with Real Sociedad at Old Trafford and West Ham’s game against FCSB in the Europa Conference League at the London Stadium went ahead later that evening with pre-match tributes. Arsenal’s clash with FC Zurich was an earlier kick-off and a minute’s silence was held at half-time following the news, with players also donning black armbands for the second half.
The EFL had confirmed on Thursday evening that Friday night’s Championship game between Burnley and Norwich and the League Two match between Tranmere and Stockport had been postponed, while the SPFL announced that Friday’s Championship clash between Dundee and Cove Rangers was off.
More to follow…
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