The Premier League has postponed matches this weekend out of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96.
The decision to postpone all matches on Saturday and Monday was made after a Premier League shareholders’ meeting on Friday, held after a previous meeting involving the UK Government’s Department of Culture, Media and Sport and representatives of a variety of sports.
– Olley: How the Premier League stopped while the nation cried
The English Football League (EFL) and Women’s Super League (WSL) have also decided to postpone their round of matches this weekend. A similar decision was made to stop all matches in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Tributes were paid from around the world of sport in honor of Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-lived monarch, who died on Thursday after 70 years on the throne.
The UK has entered a period of national mourning, which is expected to last at least 10 days. Further information on the remaining matches taking place during this period will be confirmed in due course.
The government advice suggests that no major events should be held on the day of the queen’s funeral, the date of which has not yet been confirmed, but it is very likely that it will take place on 18 or 19 September.
The Premier League said in a statement on Friday: “At a meeting this morning, the Premier League clubs paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“To honor his extraordinary life and contribution to the nation, and out of respect, this weekend’s Premier League round will be postponed, including Monday night’s game.”
The Premier League did not vote on the postponement; instead, the board made the decision and the clubs agreed.
The government said it was the decision of individual organizations to make regarding the unfolding of events during the nation’s mourning period.
“There is no obligation to cancel or postpone sporting events and matches, or to close entertainment venues during the national mourning period. This is at the discretion of individual organizations,” reads an official address document for the public and businesses.
“Out of respect, organizations may wish to consider canceling or postponing events or closing venues on the day of the state funeral. They have no obligation to do so and this is entirely at the discretion of individual organizations.” .
The English Football Association announced that all football matches from 9 to 11 September would be postponed in WSL, Women’s Championship, Women’s FA Cup and FA Trophy, along with all stages of the National League System, the women’s football pyramid and the grassroots football.
It said all the flags at Wembley Stadium and St George’s Park, the home base for all English teams, would continue to fly at half mast over the weekend.
“Her Majesty the Queen has been a longtime patroness of the Football Association and has left a lasting and indelible legacy in our national game,” the FA said in a statement.
“Out of respect, after the death of Her Majesty the Queen, English football joined together to postpone all football matches between 9 and 11 September”.
In a statement, the Football Supporters’ Association expressed its opposition to the move and said it was “a missed opportunity for football to pay its own special tribute”.
“We believe that football is at its best when it brings people together in moments of great national importance: be it those moments of joy or moments of mourning”, the declaration light.
“Our point of view, which we shared with the football authorities, is that most of the fans would have liked to go to the matches this weekend and pay tribute to the queen along with their fellow fans.
“Not everyone will agree, so there has not been a perfect decision for the football authorities, but many fans will feel that this was a missed opportunity for football to pay their tribute special.”
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