London, September 9 (BUS): English football’s governing body has postponed all matches until Monday as a sign of respect following the death of Queen Elizabeth, but cricket and rugby matches will continue as planned this weekend.
The English Premier League and English Football League have already announced the postponement of the next round of matches, Reuters reports.
The Queen, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, died peacefully at her home in Scotland on Thursday at the age of 96.
“As a sign of respect, following the death of Her Majesty the Queen, English football has united to postpone all football matches between 9-11 September,” the FA said in a statement.
The Football Association added that matches in the Barclays Women’s Premier League and across the lower levels of the football and grassroots football pyramid have been postponed.
The Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS) had earlier given guidance saying that “there is no obligation to cancel or postpone sporting events and fixtures, or to close entertainment venues during the period of national mourning.”
The Premier League said the decision to postpone matches was taken at a meeting on Friday.
“In honor of her exceptional life and contribution to the nation, and as a sign of respect, the weekend’s Premier League match round, including Monday night’s match, will be postponed,” the statement read.
All football matches in Northern Ireland have been postponed this weekend to read more, while the Football Association of Wales said it has postponed matches from 9 to 12 September at all levels of the game. Professional matches in Scottish football have also been cancelled.
“The Queen’s death, which has been a constant in our lives for 70 years, is a profound and grave occasion,” said Neil Doncaster, chief executive of the Scottish Professional Football League.
“It is therefore fitting that professional football celebrate this event with every possible celebration.”
Kick off cricket, rugby and golf
The English Cricket Board (ECB) said the men’s Test match between England and South Africa will resume at The Oval on Saturday after day two was suspended on Friday. Read more
The first day was washed without throwing the ball.
The ECB was exploring the possibility of extending the match to make up for its second-day loss but South Africa Safli is at home on Tuesday, making it a de facto three-day test. Read more
The Women’s Twenty20 International Championships will also kick off on Saturday between England and India in Durham.
The English Rugby Union (RFU) said matches and other rugby activities scheduled for the weekend will continue so people can come together and grieve.
“The prevailing views shared so far within the game are that teams and fans want to come together to pay homage to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to unite our grief as we express our regret over her passing,” the Russian Federation said.
Premiership Rugby has postponed its season-opening fixtures scheduled for Friday – Bristol Bears vs Bath Rugby and Seal Sharks vs Northampton Saints – but said other matches on Saturday and Sunday would go ahead as planned.
“Before the start of each match, a silent salute will be held for one minute. All players and coaches will be invited to wear black armbands,” they said.
Similarly, the Rugby Football League said it had made the “difficult decision” to ensure matches at all levels could continue this weekend, including the Premier League qualifiers.
But the Welsh rugby union has suspended all major matches in Wales scheduled for September 9-11. Junior matches will continue, with clubs required to observe a two-minute silence before all matches.
The DP World Tour said after play was suspended late Thursday and Friday’s play was cancelled, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth will resume on Saturday as a 54-hole event.
“It is not possible to play the full 72 holes and finish on Monday as we cannot guarantee staff, facilities or security at the venue on Monday due to ongoing plans for the state funeral,” the organizers said.
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has suspended all events for two days and said they will resume on Sunday.
“However, the match scheduled at Mosselburg Racecourse on Sunday will be canceled as a sign of respect for the fact that the Queen’s body will remain in Edinburgh.”
The British Boxing Control Board has postponed all of its championships this weekend, which means Savannah Marshall’s middleweight title fight with Clarissa Shields will not take place.
Organizers said Sunday’s Great North Run, the world’s largest half marathon with 60,000 participants, will go ahead as planned.
“Thousands of participating contestants are expected to raise an estimated 25 million pounds ($28.99 million) in much-needed charitable donations, a fitting tribute to the Queen who lived her life in service of our country and its people,” they said. .