English football will come to a complete standstill this weekend. Following the death of Queen Elizabeth, the English Football Association has canceled all matches. That means that the matches in the Premier League, the most watched competition in the world, will not take place tomorrow and Sunday.
“In honor of her extraordinary life and contribution to the nation, and as a mark of respect, all Premier League games this weekend, including Monday night’s game, are being postponed,” the Premier League said. “Further updates on Premier League games during the period of mourning will be provided at a later date.”
This weekend, among other things, the top match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City was on the program and Erik ten Hag would visit Crystal Palace with Manchester United.
Buckingham Palace announced a period of mourning for seven days after Elizabeth’s funeral earlier today. The government said that it is not obliged to cancel or postpone events or sports competitions during that period. It is up to the organizations and unions themselves to decide.
Prince William, the grandson of Elizabeth and the heir apparent after his father Charles, is the ceremonial chairman of the English Football Association FA. Queen Elizabeth died yesterday afternoon at the age of 96 in Scotland’s Balmoral Castle, her holiday home.
It is not yet clear what will happen to next week’s European duels. Ajax will play in England for the Champions League against Liverpool on Tuesday, PSV will take on Arsenal two days later in London for the Europa League. English media report that UEFA plans to cooperate with the postponement of the matches if clubs request it.
Following the Premier League, the Scottish Football Association has also decided this weekend, due to the death of Queen Elizabeth, to cancel all matches at the highest football levels. Trainer Giovanni van Bronckhorst therefore does not have to visit Aberdeen with the Rangers. “The death of the Queen, a constant factor in our lives for 70 years, is a profound and memorable event. It is therefore fitting that professional football should mark this event with all possible solemnity,” said Neil Doncaster, the boss of the Scottish Professional Football League.
funeral ties
Last night, the matches in the Europa League and Conference League, including Arsenal, West Ham United and Manchester United, were played (out). When the news broke, at 7.30pm, many clubs, including Arsenal, were already busy. In the second half, the players then came onto the field in mourning bands.
Chelsea decided on Friday to postpone the presentation of the new coach Graham Potter. Potter was appointed a day earlier to replace the fired Thomas Tuchel.
More sports in the UK are expected to be shut down for some time today. Yesterday, for example, the Tour of Great Britain was broken off. According to the organization, the British police no longer had time to supervise the stage race in the final weekend due to the death of the Queen. A golf tournament from the DP World Tour in England was also shut down.
Also in Northern Ireland there will be no football next weekend. “As a show of respect after the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, this weekend’s matches at all affiliated football clubs in Northern Ireland and all other organized football activities, at all levels, have been postponed,” the association said in a statement.
killer scheme
It will be a hell of a job for the English league planners to find a new date for the seventh round. Until the World Cup, which starts in November, the participants of the European tournaments will play two matches a week. Immediately after the final round in Qatar, the Premier League will resume with games around the holidays, after which the players get a short winter break. Only in the week of January 16 will there be room to make up for matches.
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