All UK football fixtures postponed this weekend to mourn death of Queen Elizabeth II
All professional football matches in the UK have been postponed this weekend following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
She died peacefully on Thursday afternoon at Balmoral, her Scottish estate, aged 96.
The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and her reign lasted over 70 years.
While Uefa fixtures involving British teams were fulfilled on Thursday, the English Football League postponed its two scheduled fixtures on Friday, with the Irish FA announcing that all football in Northern Ireland would be halted.
On Friday morning an all-sports consultation meeting was held by the DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) as a review of the official mourning guidance took place.
A subsequent Premier League meeting was then held, before the confirmation that all football fixtures would be cancelled, including Monday night’s game between Leeds United and Nottingham Forest.
The Premier League 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.”
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters added: “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.”
The EFL followed suit by confirming the postponement of all fixtures scheduled for the weekend.
The FA, which administers the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship along with the National League system, also confirmed no fixtures will take place between the 9th and 11th of September, adding: “All flags at Wembley Stadium and St. George’s Park will continue to fly at half-mast over the weekend.
“Our thoughts remain with our president, HRH The Duke of Cambridge [Prince William], and the whole of the Royal Family during this time.”
At midday, the Scottish FA, SPFL, SWPL as well as the Highland and Lowland Leagues confirmed no professional football matches weekend will go ahead.
The postponements follow a wave of condolences marking the passing of the United Kingdom’s longest-reigning monarch, while a statement from the Queen’s successor, King Charles III, read: “We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.”
Similar sentiments were also seen across the official handles of 92 Football League clubs, with the majority turning their avatars black as a mark of respect.
Details of the rescheduled events will be released in due course.
