Nyon, Switzerland, September 13 (BUS): The European Football Association has postponed Arsenal’s home match in the Europa League this week due to limited police resources available following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The North London club had been due to host PS in Eindhoven on Thursday, when the city prepares for the state funeral on September 19.
UEFA said the postponement was “due to severe limitations on police resources and regulatory issues related to the current events surrounding the national mourning” for the Queen, the Associated Press reported.
And UEFA agreed, on Sunday, to postpone the Champions League match between Rangers and Napoli by one day until Wednesday due to police problems in Scotland. Fans of the Italian club have been urged not to travel to Glasgow to help curb demand for public services.
UEFA and Arsenal are facing challenges in rescheduling the match amid the congestion caused by the World Cup which takes place in November and December in Qatar.
Arsenal do not have clear midweek dates before the Europa League groups finish on November 3, and the draw for the Round of 16 is scheduled for November 7.
Domestic matches across Europe must stop by November 13 when the players selected in the 32 World Cup squads will have to be released to their national teams.
Arsenal were playing their opening Europa League match in Switzerland when the death of the 96-year-old queen was officially announced last Thursday. Arsenal and Zurich observed a minute’s silence on the pitch before the start of the second half in St Gallen.
After all football matches in England have been postponed over the weekend, matches are set to resume on Tuesday.